Billy Hamilton CF

Hamilton signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training with Cleveland on Thursday, Daniel Alvarez Montes of El Extrabase reports.

Hamilton earned 36 plate appearances at the big-league level in 2020, but he hit just .125/.171/.219. More positively, even in the limited playing time he managed to steal six bases and continued to provide strong defense. While no sure thing to make the big-league roster, Hamilton lands in a good spot with the relatively thin outfield in Cleveland.

Hamilton went 2-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run, two stolen bases and three runs scored in Sunday's 10-8 win over the White Sox.

Hamilton played sparingly during the regular season and finishes the year with just a .125 batting average, but the speedy outfielder had a memorable performance in the season finale. He managed to steal home and hit his first home run since Aug. 29, 2018. Hamilton becomes the first Cubs player to swipe home and go deep in the same game since 1967, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com notes. The 30-year-old might earn a spot on Chicago's postseason roster due to his speed, though he's unlikely to impact a game quite like he did Sunday.

Hamilton entered as a pinch runner for Kyle Schwarber in the eighth and was able to steal second base in the inning. He did not have an official at-bat in the game.

Cubs manager David Ross made a tactical substitution by replacing Schwarber at first with the speedy Hamilton. The 30-year-old successfully stole second base and put himself in scoring position for Jason Heyward at the plate, but Heyward unfortunately struck out, stranding Hamilton at second. Hamilton has just two at-bats since joining the Cubs on Sept. 7 as he is being primarily used as a late-game replacement.

Hamilton was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Hamilton will join his third team of the season after being designated for assignment by the Mets. The speedy 29-year-old has seen much of his usage in 2020 as a pinch runner, and that could be the case with the Cubs as well. He's hitting .045 with three stolen bases over 17 games this year.

Hamilton was designated for assignment by the Mets on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Hamilton had been losing opportunities for playing time recently, and he'll be cast off the Mets' 40-man roster just one day after making a blunder on the basepaths. In 17 games with the Mets this season, Hamilton carried a 0.83 OBP with four runs and three stolen bases over 22 at-bats.

Hamilton remains out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

Hamilton initially served as the Mets' fourth outfielder when he was acquired earlier this month, but he's lost out on those duties to Jake Marisnick, who will make his second start Monday since returning from the injured list last week. Meanwhile, Hamilton has started in only one of the Mets' 12 games, as he's seemingly become a redundant piece with Marisnick offering a superior speed-oriented, defensive-minded alternative in the outfield. Hamilton could be at risk of losing his spot on the roster in the near future if the Mets elect to prioritize needs at other spots.

Hamilton got the start in center field and batted ninth during Wednesday's win over the Nationals, going 0-for-4 with a stolen base.

He reached base on a fielder's choice in the fourth inning, using his speed to beat out a potential double-play ball to second base, and then promptly stole the open bag in front of him. Hamilton's defense in center, not his offensive skill set, is his calling card now, but as long as he's getting consistent playing time the 29-year-old can still make a fantasy impact in SBs.

Hamilton's contract will be selected by the Mets on Tuesday, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

The expanded rosters are ideal for a player like Hamilton, who could be the best pinch runner in the league and should be a strong defensive replacement as well. With Yoenis Cespedes opting out of the season and Jake Marisnick out with a hamstring injury, there could be at-bats available in the Mets' outfield as well, though the team likely won't want to give too many to a player who owns a career .242/.297/.326 slash line.

The Mets acquired Hamilton from the Giants on Sunday in exchange for pitcher Jordan Humphreys, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After attending summer camp with the Giants on a minor-league contract, Hamilton wasn't able to win a spot on the 30-man Opening Day roster. The speedy 29-year-old stuck around with the Giants at their alternate training site in Sacramento, but with a callup to San Francisco not in the cards, Hamilton was ultimately dealt to the Mets, who have a need for a defensive-minded backup center fielder after Jake Marisnick (hamstring) was recently placed on the injured list. The Mets will need to open up a spot on the 40-man roster in order to add Hamilton to the active roster.

Hamilton failed to win a spot on the Giants' 30-man Opening Day roster.

Hamilton was shut down earlier this month for what manager Gabe Kapler termed as "medical purposes," but the speedy outfielder passed a physical last week and was cleared for all baseball activities. Per Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic, Hamilton's absence from camp ultimately left him too far behind his fellow competitors in the outfield, prompting the Giants to omit him from the Opening Day roster. Hamilton is still included in the Giants' 60-man roster pool and could continue to work out at the team's alternate training site if he doesn't opt out of his minor-league contract, so he'll still be eligible for a callup to San Francisco at a later date.

Hamilton passed his physical Thursday and is cleared for all activities, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hamilton and Luis Madero both passed their physicals Thursday, but manager Gabe Kapler said that he will not rush either of them back for Opening Day. San Francisco may elect to ease Hamilton back to game speed by having the switch-hitting veteran serve in a platoon role with Mauricio Dubon. The center fielder recorded just a .184 batting average against southpaws last season, compared to a .235/.293/.282 slash line against right-handers.

The Giants are placing Hamilton on the 10-day injured list Thursday for medical purposes, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Manager Gabe Kapler said that Hamilton and Jarlin Garcia are on the injured list for medical purposes, and the Giants wouldn't legally be allowed to say whether it's related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Whether his absence will impact Hamilton's availability for the start of the regular season remains to be seen.

Hamilton was released and subsequently re-signed to a minor-league deal by the Giants on Sunday, and he will be present for the start of spring training 2.0, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Pablo Sandoval (elbow), Trevor Cahill and Yolmer Sanchez went through similar procedures, potentially to eliminate the opt-out clauses in their previous deals. None of the four players are on the 40-man roster but all remain candidates for the season-opening 30-man roster. Hamilton could end up starting in center field, though Jaylin Davis and Mauricio Dubon are also in the mix.

Hamilton could earn a roster spot in the Giants' outfield, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hamilton recorded only four at-bats in Cactus League action, but his defensive experience could earn him a roster spot. Without Hamilton, the team would likely rely on Jaylin Davis and Mauricio Dubon to man center field. Considering both are relatively untested at the big-league level, and Dubon is only beginning his transition to the outfield, Hamilton may present the safest option to begin the season for the Giants.

Hamilton signed with the Giants as a non-roster invitee Friday.

Hamilton's speed is elite and brought him four consecutive seasons with at least 56 steals from 2014 to 2017, but his bat just hasn't developed, limiting his opportunities to run in recent seasons. In 119 games for the Royals and Braves last season, he stole a comparably low 22 bases, as his anemic .218/.289/.275 slash line limited his opportunities at the plate. Heading into his age-29 season, it would be a surprise if his bat suddenly became good enough for him to deserve an everyday role, but he could still run often enough to matter to fantasy owners if he winds up with a part-time job.

The Braves' declined Hamilton's $7.5 million option Thursday, making him a free agent, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Hamilton is a great defensive center fielder and one of the best base stealers of his generation, but he has a career 67 wRC+ and logged a career-low 50 wRC+ last season. He should catch on elsewhere with an invitation to big-league camp.

Hamilton (thumb) will bat eighth and play center field Saturday against the Mets.

Hamilton left Friday's game with a thumb injury after stealing a base, but the issue was evidently a very minor one, as he won't miss any games. He's been the primary center fielder for the last few games but will likely revert to the bench sparkplug role that suits him best if Ronald Acuna returns from a hip injury as expected for the start of the playoffs.

Hamilton injured his right thumb on a slide during Friday's game against the Mets, but he's expected to be OK, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Hamilton reportedly hooked his thumb on a slide into second base, and per Burns, he could've stayed in the contest if needed. He'll be considered day-to-day moving forward.

Hamilton left Friday's game against the Mets after suffering an apparent injury, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.

Hamilton appeared to suffer the injury on a stolen base in the fourth inning, and he was removed in the fifth. He was replaced in center field by Rafael Ortega.

Hamilton is in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Hamilton has played sparingly since joining the Braves, but he will start Sunday for the second day in a row with manager Brian Snitker giving his regular some rest in advance of the postseason. Hamilton will man center field and hit eighth against Giants starter Logan Webb.