Amid an expectation the Los Angeles Dodgers will address their inconsistent bullpen before the MLB trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. PT on Thursday, there is also the reality of potentially getting relief from internal options.
Blake Treinen completed his rehab assignment and is going to be activated off the 60-day injured list on Sunday or Monday, and Michael Kopech expects to return from right knee surgery at the end of next month. Tanner Scott should also recover from a bout with left elbow inflammation to pitch again in 2025.
Less of a guarantee, but Brusdar Graterol is a potential candidate as well in his quest to return from offseason shoulder surgery. And the Dodgers appear to also be giving themselves yet another option in the form of Bobby Miller.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Miller is being moved into a bullpen role with Triple-A Oklahoma City:
Bobby Miller — the team’s Game 2 starter just two postseasons ago — is being shifted to the bullpen in Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to league sources.
It’s not yet clear if the Dodgers changing Miller’s role is simply in response to their current need, or if it’s indicative of a new trajectory for the former first-round draft pick.
Miller’s most recent outing was July 22, when he allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks over just 4.2 innings pitched. The four walks were the third-most Miller has issued in a start for the Comets this season, a total he’s reached three times.
Overall in 16 games (14 starts) for Oklahoma City this season, he’s 3-3 with a 5.58 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. Miller’s first relief appearance with the Comets came on April 6 in a game started by Evan Phillips during his rehab assignment.
Miller pitched out of the bullpen again on July 1, when Emmet Sheehan was the starter.
Can Bobby Miller help Dodgers bullpen?
Given his regression at the Major League level, there has been speculation Miller might be better suited for a bullpen role.
He pitched in a combined 35 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, starting each of them. But Miller has only appeared in two games for the Dodgers this year, one of which was a relief appearance.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said at the time it was merely due to the state of the pitching staff and needing coverage. Miller flashed some encouraging signs as he allowed one run to the New York Mets over two innings.
Miller’s velocity lends well to being an effective reliever, but success is going to boil down to harnessing command of his pitches.
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