Yankees Manager Joe Girardi Not Naming A Closer At This Time
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- And the Yankees' closer is...
We still don't know.
Manager Joe Girardi said on Friday that he's not naming a closer at this time.
Girardi might use Andrew Miller in either the eighth or ninth inning, depending on lefty matchups. Dellin Betances, who was brilliant in the eighth inning for New York last season, will also get save opportunities.
A closer could be named as the season progresses.
"Nope," Girardi bluntly told reporters when asked if he's settled on a closer.
Betances, 27, was an All-Star in 2014. The right-hander pitched to a 1.40 ERA in 90 innings, striking out 135 and walking 24. He did, however, blow four of five save opportunities.
It's been a different story for Betances this spring. He's really struggled, allowing five earned runs in 7 1/3 innings pitched (6.14 ERA). The fireballer has blown his only save opportunity and has surrendered a home run and five walks, striking out just six.
"I think so," Girardi said when asked if it's possible that he goes into the season without naming a closer. "I think that's possible, that we just kind of go by where they are in the lineup and use them both ... I really think that if you do it that way, and as long as you're prepared, it has a chance to be advantageous, too."
The Yankees signed Miller to a four-year, $36 million contract in December. The left-hander has been solid this spring, allowing two earned runs on five hits in seven innings. The 29-year-old has struck out eight and walked two.
"I've talked to both guys," Girardi said. "They're concerned about winning more than titles, in a sense of 'I'm this guy, I'm this guy.' That's the sense that I've got from them. Now, could it iron itself out? You start to do it one way? Yes. But we talked a little bit about it yesterday. I'll continue to talk (about) it with my coaches."
David Robertson, New York's closer last season, signed a four-year deal with the White Sox in the offseason.
