Miller looking forward as he returns to New York

NEW YORK — It’s been a wild and wacky week for Andrew Miller, beginning in a Yankees uniform and ending with his return to Yankee Stadium on Friday as a member of the Indians.

Forgive the outstanding left-handed reliever if he felt a bit displaced at the moment, speaking to the media in a conference room just outside the Yankees clubhouse. But he’ll make the transition. It’s only a matter of time.

He came back with a bit of facial hair, not so much to literally fly in the face of Yankees policy, but because he really doesn’t like to shave anyway.

“To be honest, CC [Sabathia] made [the transition] much easier for me,” Miller said, referring to the big Yankees left-hander who pitched nearly eight seasons in Cleveland until he was traded to the Brewers midway through the 2008 season. “When I got traded, I went by the clubhouse and was packing up my bags and he told me I was going to love it in Cleveland.

“The people in the organization are great, the city was great. He put me in touch with a couple of people and directions to go. I think that kind of eased things a little bit and took some of the nerves out of it.”

In Miller, the Indians received the whole package. He’s a terrific pitcher who was named the Mariano Rivera Award winner last season as the American League’s top reliever after saving 36 games for the Yankees in his first year as a closer.

Yet, when the since also traded Aroldis Chapman was activated on May 1 after a 30-day domestic abuse suspension, Miller had no qualms about stepping back into an eighth-inning setup role. He’s also a fine young man and team player.

“Yeah, we got one of the elite relievers in the game, but we also got a guy who’s willing to pitch in the most opportune parts of the game,” Indians manager Terry Francona said about Miller. “That makes him even better than his numbers. The guys in the clubhouse appreciate it. I appreciate it. The coaches appreciate it. …

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