The New York Yankees made a number of upgrades this offseason, but they've also suffered their fair share of bad news. They got more of that on Wednesday when reliever Andrew Miller was hit on the hand with a line drive during a spring training game.
Miller's initial X-rays came back negative, but the Yankees announced a CT scan revealed a chip fracture his right wrist. The lefty is expected to see a hand specialist to "determine the next course of action."
If Miller starts off the season on the disabled list, New York's brilliant bullpen plan will be foiled for at least the first half of April. Closer Aroldis Chapman will miss the first 30 games of the year after Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended him under the league's new domestic violence policy. Miller was expected to serve as the team's closer during Chapman's absence.
Fellow reliever Dellin Betances will now likely shift into that role, but that's the least of the team's concerns because the young right-hander is certainly capable of undertaking the pressure of the ninth inning. The issue is now with the depth of the bullpen, which already took a hit when the team traded away Adam Warren and Justin Wilson. Pitcher Bryan Mitchell, who made the Opening Day roster, also sprained his big toe today and could miss time (he's scheduled to undergo an MRI).
According to the team's depth chart, their other relief options include Chasen Shreve, Johnny Barbato, Luis Cessa, Anthony Swarzak and Kirby Yates, which is a terribly inexperienced unit. Depending on how Joe Girardi intends to manage the starting rotation, it's possible CC Sabathia or Ivan Nova could join the bullpen as well.
Then again, it's possible New York can make it through these unexpected setbacks. Shreve hasn't given up a run in nine innings this spring; Barbato has allowed just two runs over 10-1/3 innings; Betances hasn't surrendered a run in six innings of work; Yates hasn't let up any over 7-1/3 innings; and Cessa has allowed just three in 10 innings.
The Yanks could also recall Branden Pinder, who had a good debut season in 2015 and gave up just one run in seven appearances this spring.
This is an unfortunate way for the Yankees to start the season, but they only need to stay afloat for the first month of 2016 before their bullpen returns to full strength. It won't be easy, as Miller and Chapman combined for a 1.83 ERA, 69 saves and 216 strikeouts in 125 games (128 innings) in 2015, but it's not an insurmountable feat.
However, New York does face a number of the league's top offenses in the month of April, so the inexperienced bullpen will be put to the test and perhaps become better prepared for the long haul.
