Andrew Miller will pitch through hand injury

The New York Yankees aren't about to panic just yet. Reliever Andrew Miller may have a fracture in his non-pitching hand, but that won't prevent him from taking the mound during the regular season. Miller has decided to pitch through the injury rather than go on the disabled list, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.

The news probably comes as a big relief to Yankees fans, as the club was set to open the season without two of its three vaunted relievers. Aroldis Chapman will miss time serving a 30-game suspension after an offseason domestic violence incident. With the 30-year-old Miller also out, that would have left Dellin Betances as the only elite back-end option for New York.

That will no longer be the case. Miller and Betances will again team up to form one of the best late-inning duos in the game. The on field results should only get better once Chapman arrives.

While a hand injury to a pitcher never seems like a good thing, the Yankees escaped without a major issue here. Considering much of their roster construction in the offseason was based on having multiple elite relievers, the club is likely breathing a huge sigh of relief.

 

OTHER SPRING HEADLINES

Benched: Travis Shaw, not Pablo Sandoval, will open the season as the Boston Red Sox's starter at third base. [The Stew]

 

Disappointed: New York Mets ace Matt Harvey is upset some members of the media made fun of his recent health issue. [New York Daily News]

 

Looking good: Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano is getting rave reviews from scouts this spring. [New York Post]

 

Made it: After two Tommy John surgeries, reliever Cory Luebke has made the Pittsburgh Pirates opening day roster. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2012. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

 

Don't budge: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim is resisting being sent to the minors. Kim has a clause in a contract that requires his consent if the club sends him down. The team can either put him on the 25-man roster, or release him. [@Ken_Rosenthal]

 

Get him: The Chicago White Sox are among the teams aggressively pursuing recently released pitcher Miguel Gonzalez. [@ChrisCotillo]