Abbott offers to teach Yankees' Miller how to 'glove switch'
New York Yankees reliever Andrew Miller has been cleared to pitch by a hand specialist despite having a fractured right wrist, but there may be another solution to the lanky southpaw's early injury woes.
Jim Abbott, who pitched parts of 10 seasons in the majors despite not being born with a right hand, has offered to teach Miller his patented "glove switch" technique.
@jabbottum31 Nothing I ever play thru will compare to what you did. You are the perfect example as to why you never give up. I'll be fine
— Andrew Miller (@a_miller48) April 2, 2016
You've shown great resilience in your career, and will again, let me know if you want to work on that switch:) https://t.co/ESGXdfUAkw
— Jim Abbott (@jabbottum31) April 2, 2016
Abbott enjoyed a solid big-league career, compiling an 87-108 record with a 4.25 ERA while pitching for the California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and Yankees. His career highlight, though, was tossing a no-hitter on Sept. 4, 1993.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)
New York will be relying heavily on Miller to close out games in April while fireballer Aroldis Chapman serves his 30-game suspension for violating the league's domestic violence policy.
Miller earned American League Reliever of the Year honors in 2015 after posting a ridiculous 14.6 K/9 rate while converting 36 of his 38 save opportunities in his first year as a closer.