CLEVELAND — Ian Hamilton faces an MRI scan Friday that will determine whether he can finish the postseason with the Yankees.

The reliever injured his left calf while running to cover first base in the sixth inning of a crushing 7-5, 10-inning loss to the Guardians in Game 3 of the ALCS on Thursday night at Progressive Field.

Hamilton tried to stay in the game, but after a delay due to an initial challenge in the game, he threw a warm-up throw that sailed to the backstop and his calf “grabbed” him.

After a brief visit from a trainer and Aaron Boone, he was removed from the game and replaced by Tim Mayza.

“I’m going to get my picture taken (Friday) and then hopefully do everything I can to stay out the rest of the year,” Hamilton said. “It’s frustrating, but I’ll try to get back out there.”

It was Hamilton's first appearance since a great four-out performance in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Royals on Oct. 7.

The Yankees have leaned heavily on relievers Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle and most recently left-hander Tim Hill through the first seven games of the playoffs, making Hamilton an important player for some high-leverage innings. b

However, depending on the imaging results, he may need to be removed from the ALCS roster, which would rule him out for the World Series if the Yankees advance.

The possible replacements for Hamilton would be Mark Leiter Jr. and Clayton Beeter.

Red-hot Giancarlo Stanton moved to the mop-up spot on Thursday, but it remains to be seen whether he will stay there.

When the Guardians started left-hander Matthew Boyd, Boone pushed Stanton, who hit a big solo home run in the eighth inning, to a spot in the four-hole, as he did against left-handers in the regular season.

But it was more noticeable Thursday because cleanup hitter Austin Wells has been hustling at the plate in the postseason, even though Wells wasn't in the lineup at all in Game 3 for right-hander hitting Jose Trevino.

Follow the Post's coverage of the Yankees in the postseason:

When asked if Stanton could stay in the mop-up spot and move forward regardless of the starter, Boone left the door slightly open.

“Possibly, but chances are I have two other lefties there,” Boone said. “I don't necessarily want to fill the back end with lefties and the top end with righties, especially knowing they're going to use their pen and do things. I wouldn’t say it’s not possible, but I also try to create as much balance as possible.”

Nestor Cortes (left elbow flexor muscle strain) came through fine after facing batsmen on Wednesday for the first time since being suspended at the end of September.

The left-hander threw 15 to 20 pitches and could face hitters again this weekend as he tries to remain an option for the World Series if the Yankees make it there.

“Another encouraging day for him,” Boone said.

Right-hander Gavin Williams will start for the Guardians in Game 4 on Friday. He faced the Yankees in August and gave up three runs over 4 ¹/₃ innings, including Aaron Judge walking him to depth.

“They have a tough lineup,” Williams said. “But I faced them at the beginning of the year and I know what they have and they know what I have.”