Yankees to enter spring training with Chapman as closer

For a fourth straight season the New York Yankees will head into spring training with a different closer as manager Joe Girardi confirmed Monday that Aroldis Chapman will operate in the role once pitchers and catchers report Feb. 19.

"I think we'll go into spring training with Chapman as our closer," Girardi told YES Network. "We'll use those other guys (Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller) to do the seventh and the eighth. If Chapman needs a day off we have no fear in putting Dellin or Miller in that situation - obviously Miller's done a tremendous job.

"I think it gives me a lot of options. The other thing it does, is by having the two lefties and Dellin, I can match up better in the seventh and eighth inning."

Since Mariano Rivera's retirement at the conclusion of the 2013 season, David Robertson, Miller, and now Chapman have succeed the legendary closer in the Bronx.

One of the game's premier late-inning arms, Chapman was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds last month in exchange for four prospects. The 27-year-old has converted 69 saves over the past two seasons, fashioning a 1.80 ERA in addition to striking out 222 over 120 1/3 innings.

Miller, who agreed to a four-year, $36-million deal last December, coveted 36 saves while posting a 2.04 ERA and 100 strikeouts over 61 2/3 innings last season. The 30-year-old expected to relinquish the closer's role to Chapman once the four-time All-Star was acquired, and acknowledged he's OK with it.

"I signed with the Yankees to win, and I'm not stupid, (Chapman's) a heck of a pitcher," Miller told Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media. "This is what I signed up for. I signed up to play for the Yankees, to win championships, and if (general manager Brian) Cashman and the Steinbrenners and whoever is part of the decision-making process thinks this is part of the answer, and that this is the way to go about it, that's fine by me."

Miller could still begin the season as the team's closer, however, as Chapman faces potential punishment as he's being investigated under the league's new domestic violence policy for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. The decision is expected to be made no later than March 1.