ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Atlanta Braves on Friday signed right-hander Ian Hamilton to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, according to the team.
Right-hander Anthony Molina was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room on the 40-man roster for Hamilton.
Hamilton, 30, was non-tendered by the New York Yankees after spending the last two months of the 2025 campaign in Triple-A. Prior to being sent down, Hamilton pitched 40 innings (36 appearances) of 4.28 ERA ball, striking out 42 hitters.
In 150.1 innings across six major league seasons, Hamilton has a 3.59 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He had his best season in 2023, when he backed a 2.64 ERA with a 28.9% strikeout rate for New York.
Hamilton will battle for a relief spot in camp. With Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer essentially locked into bullpen spots, the remaining roles are wide open. Joel Payamps, Danny Young, Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes, José Suarez and Joey Wentz are all out of minor-league options, and Atlanta won’t be able to keep all of them on the Opening Day roster.
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If Hamilton doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, the Braves would need to remove him from the 40-man roster, which would require either trading or waiving him. If he does make the team, Atlanta would retain control of him through arbitration eligibility through 2028.
Hamilton is on a non-guaranteed contract, meaning his pay depends on whether he makes the major-league roster. If he does, the contract becomes guaranteed. If Hamilton is cut on or before the 16th day of spring training, he would be owed 30 days of termination pay, calculated using the prorated portion of his agreed-upon salary.
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