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New York Yankees News: Andrew Miller Placed On 15-Day Disabled List

By Al Casey

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Following the New York Yankees‘ loss to the Washington Nationals in extra innings, manager Joe Girardi informed the public that they have placed closer Andrew Miller on the 15-day disabled list with strained muscle in his left forearm. Pitcher Dellin Betances will be step into the closer role now, as he was previously the set-up man.

The news may come as a surprise to most, but Miller has had his fair share of work with the Yankees this season thus far. Yankees clubhouse reporter Meredith Marakovits specified that the injury is mostly to fatigue.

In addition, Miller will be completely shut down from baseball activities for about two weeks. Girardi also specified that the lefty had been experiencing tightness prior to today, but informed public and media about it today. Due to the injury, Miller will remain in New York City as the ball club will travel on their five game road trip.

Unfortunately, the Yankees are losing potentially the best closer in baseball currently, as he is 17-17 in opportunities. Prior to the start of the 2015 season, the Yankees inked the closer to a four-year, $36-million contract, proving to be one of the best off-season moves by the managerial staff.

By becoming a dominant force in the bullpen Girardi and the Yankees’ coaching staff have entrusted Miller with their faith. Miller has pitched in 26 games, 26.1 innings, and owns a stellar 1.03 earned run average (ERA). With Miller’s injury, Dellin Betances will step up and perform with the closer role entitled to himself.

Jun 7, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees pitcher

Dellin Betances

(68) pitches in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees defeated the Angels 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier in the year, Girardi never specified who the closer would be. Eventually, Girardi named Miller as the closer and Betances as the set-up man; the two would work together with ease and guide the Yankees through the late innings with ease. Betances is no dud either; through the 2015 season thus far, Betances owns a phenomenal 0.28 ERA in 32.1 innings and holds opposing batters to a mere .103 batting average.

Sure the loss of Miller is certainly not ideal, far from it, but the strength of the Yankees’ late bullpen provides an easier transition from this loss. As Betances steps into the closer role, we can assume relief pitcher Justin Wilson or Chasen Shreve to provide a set-up man committee. It will be interesting to see who and how Girardi installs for the set-up role with it now being vacant.

During Wednesday’s game against the Washington Nationals, the Yankees had to look elsewhere as Miller was unavailable following Betances’ eighth innings performance. Soon enough, Girardi brought in rookie left-hander Jacob Lindgren to fulfill an ideal set-up man role and eventually use Betances in the ninth; unfortunately, Lindgren would serve a game-tying two-run homer.

Nonetheless, Miller will be sidelined for a minimal time, but the Yankees will have to look elsewhere for the same production.

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