The New York Yankees will be without Aroldis Chapman for a month after the closer was suspended for 30 games, but the team is well-equipped to handle his absence. The bullpen has two All-Star caliber players in Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, and those two pitchers will have to step up with Chapman out.
Last season, Miller and Betances were two of the best relief pitchers in baseball, putting up stellar numbers for the Yankees. Both players were ranked in the top 10 in strikeouts per nine innings among relief pitchers, and Miller finished with 36 saves, ranked ninth best in the majors. The Yankees acquired Chapman in December in a deal with the Cincinnati Reds, and he was named the new closer over Miller soon after that.
The trade set up the Yankees with depth in the bullpen that is unrivaled by any other team in the league. All three players could be closers for other teams, and the Yankees have the three as late-game options. The plan was originally to have Chapman close with Miller as the set-up man, leaving Betances to lock down the seventh inning. The Yankees knew over the winter that a suspension was likely for Chapman, and now that they know he will be out for 30 games, the team can plan accordingly.
Miller is set to take over as the closer after being in that role last season, as general manager Brian Cashman said that he "absolutely" will be the one to step in for Chapman. The suspension for Chapman bumps Betances back into the eighth inning role, which he shined in last season. Betances finished 2015 with a 1.50 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 84 innings pitched. The Yankees will need both Miller and Betances to continue their strong play from last season with Chapman out for all of April.
The 28-year-old was suspended for 30 games by commissioner Rob Manfred for an alleged domestic violence incident that took place last October. He did not appeal the suspension despite saying that he did "not in any way harm" his girlfriend during the alleged incident. Chapman will be suspended starting on Opening Day for the Yankees, but he is allowed to take part in spring training and preseason activities with the team.
Chapman will be eligible to return on May 9 when the Yankees take on the Royals. But until that time comes, the Yankees will have to rely on Miller and Betances as the bullpen anchors.
