Yankees closer Andrew Miller suffers chip fracture in wrist

Yankees closer Andrew Miller left Wednesday’s spring training game against the Braves after taking a line drive off the right wrist.

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Yankees closer Andrew Miller left Wednesday’s spring training game against the Braves after taking a line drive off his wrist.

The team later announced a CT scan revealed a chip fracture in the lefthanded pitcher’s right wrist.

On Thursday, George A. King of the New York Post reported Miller expects to be ready for the start of the season. The Yankees open against the Astros at home on April 4.

“I don’t know why I would miss time with an injury to the right hand,” Miller said.

According to reporters on the scene, Miller was hit by a Willians Astudillo  batted ball, and threw his glove down. He immediately walked to the dugout and removed his hat.

Someone sitting behind the Yankees dugout said Andrew Miller was squeezing his eyes tight and shaking his arm as he left the field.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 30, 2016

With Aroldis Chapman serving a 30-game suspension to start the season, Dellin Betances would be thrust into the closer role should Miller miss time. Chasen Shreve would be the leading candidate to take over the eighth inning.

The bullpen was further depleted by an injury to righthanded pitcher Bryan Mitchell, who was set to make his first Opening Day roster with the Yankees. Mitchell will miss at least three months with a fractured toe, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network.

– Kenny Ducey