David Robertson has a groin strain, is heading for the disabled list - MLB

When the ninth inning started with the Yankees up 4-2, you’d expect to see David Robertson take the hill. Nope: we got Shawn Kelley. Who did fine, of course. A nine-pitch save. But why no Dave Robertson? Here’s why:

Robertson groin strain, going on DL #Yankees

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) April 7, 2014

Robertson’s groin injury happened Sunday, apparently, but he didn’t mention it to manager Joe Girardi until he came in today and was still sore. He got the save yesterday, allowing one hit. Now he’s out of commission for at least 15 days. Could be more, of course, as groin injuries can be tricky.

Whether Kelley will be the closer in the meantime or whether it’ll be someone else is unknown. Indeed, Joe Girardi said he wasn’t yet sure.

ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.