TAMPA, Florida – New York Yankees reliever Andrew Miller plans to pitch with a broken wrist in his glove hand.
Miller sustained a chip fracture of his right wrist Wednesday when hit by a line drive off the bat of Atlanta’s Willians Astudillo’s liner.
“I think I can work around it,” Miller said Thursday before the Yankees played St. Louis. “I’m not too worried, it’s my right hand.”
Miller will see a hand specialist in the next few days.
“I have some swelling, some soreness,” Miller said. “All things considered, better than I expected.”
Miller was the Yankees’ closer last year and is slated to fill that role while Aroldis Chapman serves a 30-game suspension under baseball’s new domestic abuse policy. If Miller is sidelined, Dellin Betances would open the season as closer.
Pitcher Bryan Mitchell broke his left big toe while covering first base Wednesday and may need surgery. He will see a specialist Monday, the day of the Yankees’ opener.
“Honestly, I really don’t think it’s has sunk in yet,” said Mitchell, who was wearing a walking boot. “It’s tough right now. Just got to move forward for now.”
Mitchell was likely to take over the long relief and spot starter role of Adam Warren, who was traded during the offseason to the Chicago Cubs for second baseman Starlin Castro.
MARK DIDTLER
"I don't know why I would miss time for an injury to my right hand," #Yankees LHP Andrew Miller says. https://t.co/xejJSjqUSm
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 31, 2016