The Cubs’ deadline makeover gave them a lot more to work with on the mound, but there may still be another name worth watching if they need one more arm in October: Shelby Miller.
Chicago already loaded up with Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, and Ryan Zeferjahn, and the club also expects some pitchers back from injury. On paper, that leaves the staff in solid shape heading into the postseason. Still, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale flagged Miller as a possible bullpen answer if the Cubs want extra depth later in the year.
“Veteran pitcher Shelby Miller has been impressing scouts watching him in the Arizona Complex League, and believe that he could help the Chicago Cubs in the bullpen if they have a need in September,” Nightengale reports.
Miller’s path back has been a long one. He had surgery last October to repair a torn right UCL and flexor tendon, so an October return would put him about a year removed from that procedure. The Cubs gave him a $2.5 million deal in the offseason, but he has not yet appeared in the majors while working his way back.
There’s plenty of history behind the name. Miller is a former All-Star who has pitched for 10 different teams over a 13-year MLB career, including a brief three-game run with the Cubs in 2021.
Before landing in Chicago, he was with the Milwaukee Brewers and struggled to a 5.59 ERA in 11 appearances last season. The year before that, though, he turned in a 1.98 ERA across 37 outings for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
For his career, Miller owns a 4.04 ERA in the big leagues and a 4.60 mark in the postseason. He also logged two scoreless innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023.
Whether he actually ends up helping the Cubs this season is still unsettled, but he’s healthy enough in his recovery to remain on the radar if Chicago needs another bullpen option down the stretch.
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