New York Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Miller's spring training outing ended early Wednesday when a line drive comebacker struck him on his wrist. Luckily for the Yankees and Miller, the ball hit the lefty reliever's right wrist.
The injury could still be severe enough to keep Miller sidelined for the first few weeks of the season if the bone is seriously damaged. Whether the injury is minor or serious, Miller's recovery would be far less complicated than if the ball hit his left wrist.
The Atlanta Braves' Willians Astudillo was the only batter Miller faced in the seventh inning Wednesday, and the pitcher reportedly headed for the dugout immediately after the ball hit his wrist. Miller also threw his glove and hat to the ground in frustration when he reached the dugout. Dellin Betances relieved Miller and also gave Yankees fans some encouraging news after getting a chance to see his bullpen mate. The keyword Betances used was "bruise," though that should not be considered an official report.
Miller won the Mariano Rivera Award, which recognizes the American League's best relief pitcher, last year. He will assume the Yankees' closer role when the season starts, if he is fully healthy, until the newly acquired Aroldis Chapman returns from his suspension for his involvement in a domestic violence case.
The Yankees' bullpen will likely be their biggest asset this season, as Chapman, Miller and Betances were three of the best relievers in MLB last season. Even without Chapman and Miller, the Yankees would have one of the best closers in the league with the job falling to Betances.
Overshadowed by Miller's injury was starting pitcher Ivan Nova's six scoreless innings. Nova's inconsistent spring training seemingly had him losing the fifth starter job to C.C. Sabathia. But his outing Wednesday may have caused Joe Girardi to reconsider.
Sabathia is coming off a rough season on the mound and is entering the final season of his massive contract. Putting him in the bullpen would be a tough choice for Girardi, but it is not considered to be impossible. A pitcher who has enjoyed a strong spring training and was likely to fill a hybrid long-man/spot starter/middle reliever role, Bryan Mitchell, apparently hurt his left big toe covering first base in the eighth inning. Mitchell has a 0.61 ERA this spring with 11 strikeouts and one walk.