As the MLB trade deadline passed once 6 p.m. struck on Tuesday night, the Cleveland Guardians managed a minor deal for right-hander Ian Hamilton from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for catcher Sandy León.
Hamilton, 27, is being optioned to Triple-A Columbus ahead of tonight's Guardians game, in which Cleveland will play the Arizona Diamondbacks at Progressive Field.
Hamilton is in his fifth professional season and had his third major stint this year - his first for Minnesota after two stints with the Chicago White Sox (2018, 2020). The right-hander last appeared on Jun. 4 in a 2.2-inning relief performance against the ChiSox, in which he allows three hits and two runs while walking one.
During his time at Triple-A St. Paul this season, Hamilton is 2-3 with a 1.88 earned run average.
As for León, the 33-year-old catcher's second tenure in Cleveland comes to a close. Originally with the club back in 2020, León returned to the Guardians in late June in a cash exchange with the Cincinnati Reds, as the Guardians were then working around a catcher shortage due to injuries to Austin Hedges and Bryan Lavastida.
Leon recorded just two hits in 12 at-bats for Cleveland, as was designated for assignment on Jul. 8 before being outrighted to the minor leagues.
Little trade buzz was made by the Guardians, who sit at 53-49 and a game back of the Twins for first place in the AL Central with two months of the season remaining.
Oscar Gonzalez returns, Franmil Reyes optioned
Along with the trade deadline looming for all the major league clubs, the Guardians will return rookie Oscar Gonzalez to the lineup for Tuesday's game against Arizona.
Batting seventh and playing in right field, Gonzalez was activated off the 10-day injured list after suffering a right abdominal strain back on Jul. 2.
In a corresponding move, the Guardians optioned Franmil Reyes to Triple-A Columbus to make room for Gonzalez. Reyes had struggled during this season, batting .213 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs in 70 games.
