Yankees Recall Bradley Hanner: Roster Shakeup Imminent
Yankees Call Up Bradley Hanner: What You Need to Know About the New Reliever
The Big News
The New York Yankees have made a roster move! They’ve brought up Bradley Hanner from their Triple-A team in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He’s taking the spot of Kervin Castro, who’s heading to the injured list with an elbow issue.
Important Point: This is Hanner’s first ever call-up to the major leagues at age 27. It’s a classic "dream come true" story for a player who’s worked his way up through the minor leagues.
Why Did This Happen?
1. Castro Got Hurt
- Kervin Castro landed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to August 10)
- Diagnosis: Right elbow neuritis (that’s inflammation/irritation of a nerve in the elbow)
- This created an open spot in the Yankees’ bullpen
2. Hanner Earned His Shot
- Hanner has been one of the best relievers in Triple-A this season
- His numbers are impressive:
- 2.10 ERA (that’s really good!)
- 29% strikeout rate (he misses a lot of bats)
- 51⅓ innings pitched (he’s been durable)
3. The "Technical Recall" Story
Here’s where it gets interesting. This is technically called a "recall" rather than a "promotion" because:
- After the All-Star Break, the Yankees added Hanner to their 40-man roster
- They immediately sent him back down to Triple-A
- Why? Hanner had an opt-out clause in his minor league contract
- If the Yankees didn’t put him on the 40-man roster, he could have become a free agent
- They liked him enough to keep him — and now they’re bringing him back up!
Who Is Bradley Hanner? (The ELI5 Version)
The Basics
- Age: 27
- Throws: Right-handed
- Role: Relief pitcher (comes in from the bullpen)
- Status: First big league call-up
His Pitch Arsenal (What He Throws)
Hanner isn’t a "throw it 100 mph" guy. Instead, he mixes several pitches:
| Pitch | Average Speed | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Four-seam Fastball | 93.4 mph | Straight, standard fastball |
| Sinker | ~93 mph | Drops down, gets ground balls |
| Cutter | ~90 mph | Moves sideways, jams hitters |
| Sweeper | ~82 mph | Big horizontal break, like a frisbee |
Simple Explanation: Think of it like a chef with a few different knives — each one does a slightly different job, and mixing them up keeps hitters guessing.
The Journey Here (It Wasn’t Easy!)
Hanner’s path to the majors shows perseverance:
- 2019: Drafted in the 21st round by the Minnesota Twins (that’s very late — 630+ players picked before him)
- 2022: Selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the Rule 5 draft (a special draft for minor leaguers)
- 2023: Struggled in Triple-A (4.74 ERA), became a minor league free agent
- 2024: Signed with the Yankees and dominated in Triple-A (2.10 ERA)
- August 2025: GOT THE CALL!
What This Means for the Yankees
The Good News
- Bullpen gets fresh arm with good recent performance
- Hanner has options — he’s in his first of three option years
- Translation: Yankees can send him up and down between MLB and Triple-A freely for 3 years
- Depth addition — they needed another reliever they can move around
The Challenge
- Control issues: 11.4% walk rate is higher than ideal
- Simple terms: He sometimes struggles to throw strikes consistently
- Limited optionable depth: After this move, Angel Chivilli is the only pure reliever in the minors on the 40-man roster
- If more injuries happen, they’ll have tough decisions to make
By the Numbers: Hanner’s 2024 Triple-A Season
| Stat | Number | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| ERA | 2.10 | Excellent — runs rarely score when he pitches |
| Innings | 51⅓ | Good workload for a reliever |
| Strikeout % | 29% | Above average — he misses bats |
| Walk % | 11.4% | Below average — control needs work |
| Fastball Velo | 93.4 mph | Average for MLB reliever |
Summary
The Yankees called up Bradley Hanner, a 27-year-old righty reliever, to replace injured Kervin Castro (elbow neuritis). This is Hanner’s major league debut after a winding journey: 21st round pick → Rule 5 draft → minor league free agent → Yankees breakout. He’s posted a 2.10 ERA with 29% K-rate in Triple-A this year, though walks (11.4%) are a concern. He throws a 93 mph fastball with a sinker, cutter, and sweeper. The Yankees like that he has three option years remaining, giving them roster flexibility. However, the team now has very little optionable bullpen depth behind him.
FAQ
What is "right elbow neuritis"?
A: It’s irritation or inflammation of a nerve in the elbow (often the ulnar nerve, aka "funny bone" nerve). It can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand and fingers — not ideal for a pitcher who needs to grip a baseball precisely!
What’s the difference between a "recall" and a "promotion"?
A: A promotion is when a player gets called up for the first time or after being off the 40-man roster. A recall is when a player already on the 40-man roster gets brought up from the minors. Hanner was added to the 40-man roster after the All-Star Break, then sent down — so now he’s being "recalled."
What are "option years" and why do they matter?
A: Players on the 40-man roster have three "option years" where the team can send them to the minors without risking losing them. Each year they’re sent down uses one option. Hanner is in his first option year, so the Yankees can shuttle him between MLB and Triple-A freely for two more years after this.
What’s the Rule 5 Draft?
A: It’s a special draft each December where teams can pick players left off other teams’ 40-man rosters. If you pick a player, you must keep them on your MLB roster all next season (with limited exceptions) or offer them back. Hanner was picked in the minor league phase (different rules, less restrictive).
Is 27 old for a rookie?
A: It’s older than average (most debut in early 20s), but not unheard of! Many relievers break in later after refining their craft in the minors. What matters is performance, not age — and Hanner has performed well.
Go Yankees! Let’s see what Hanner can do in the big leagues!