Miller to close for Yanks during Chapman suspension

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman announced Wednesday that left-hander Andrew Miller will assume the closer's role during Aroldis Chapman's 30-game suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy.

Chapman, the first player penalized under the league's new policy, will lose 30 days pay - $1,856,557 of his $11,325,000 salary - but remains eligible to participate fully in spring training. He can return May 9 against the Kansas City Royals, at which point he's expected to reclaim the Yankees' closer job, manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday.

Miller, meanwhile, was dominant pitching out of the ninth inning last year, authoring a stingy 1.90 ERA and AL-best 40.7 percent strikeout rate among qualified relievers. The hard-throwing lefty made 15 appearances over the club's first 30 games last year, and finished the season 36-for-38 in save opportunities.

In Chapman's absence, Miller will be joined in the vaunted Yankees bullpen by towering right-hander Dellin Betances, whose 1.50 ERA ranked second in the majors over a career-high 74 games. Yankees relievers produced 5.3 WAR in 2015, the third-most in baseball.

Following Tuesday's announcement of the suspension, the Yankees released a statement saying they support the ban and are pleased with Chapman's decision to not appeal.