New York Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Miller left Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves after being struck in the wrist by a line drive. He was later diagnosed with a fracture.
Continue for updates.
Miller Cleared to Pitch
Friday, April 1
Jack Curry of the YES Network reported a Miami hand specialist gave Miller the go-ahead to pitch without surgery. Pain tolerance will dictate what he’s able to do.
Miller Speaks on Injury
Thursday, March 31
“It’s my right hand, I don’t really need it,” Miller told reporters while discussing his intention to try to play through his injury.
Miller added that he “doesn’t see any reason why he can’t pitch” and said that if he’s told by a doctor that he can’t play, that he would “probably find another doctor.”
Miller’s Injury Details Revealed
Thursday, March 31
Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported it’s Miller’s “intention to tough it out” and be active for Opening Day. However, Heyman noted the Yankees will wait to hear from a hand specialist.
On Wednesday, the Yankees announced that Miller’s CT scan showed a chip fracture in his right wrist and added that Miller will visit a hand specialist to determine the next step.
Curry previously reported that X-rays were negative.
Cashman Comments on Miller Injury
Wednesday, March 30
According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman provided an update on Miller, saying he had “at least a bruised right wrist.”
Miller Struck in Hand by Liner
Wednesday, March 30
According to the Wall Street Journal‘s Jared Diamond, Miller “immediately” walked off the mound and into the dugout after being hit with a line drive right on the wrist.
Diamond also reported that Miller slammed down his glove and threw his cap, describing the injury as a “big concern.” Showing that kind of emotion can’t be a good sign, as it could mean that Miller’s injury is severe.
Miller Looking to Pick Up Where He Left Off from 2015
The 30-year-old was looking to build off a stellar first season with the Yankees in 2015 in which he put up one of the finest years of his career.
In 61.2 innings pitched, Miller recorded 36 saves and gave up just 14 earned runs while striking out 100 batters. With Dellin Betances as the eighth-inning man, the back end of the Yankees bullpen was difficult to break down.
But with New York’s acquisition of Aroldis Chapman from the Cincinnati Reds during the offseason, Miller saw manager Joe Girardi take away his closer role in January.
However, because of Chapman’s 30-game suspension, which the league handed down at the start of March, Cashman said that Miller “absolutely” was the team’s closer, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.
With no Chapman and maybe no Miller now, the Yankees might have to turn to Betances to take over the closer role for the start of the regular season. Normally the setup man, Betances recorded nine saves last season while Miller battled a forearm injury.
Thankfully for New York, it had a number of options for the closer role in case a scenario like this played out. With a player such as Betances, who has a career 1.78 ERA in 181.2 innings, the Yankees should be fine until Chapman and Miller return.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.
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