The Los Angeles Dodgers demoted Bobby Miller to the Minor Leagues on July 10 following an inconsistent stretch since returning from the 15-day injured list nearly one month prior.
In four starts after getting activated, Miller allowed a whopping 19 runs in just 17.1 innings, and his outing against the Philadelphia Phillies seemed to be the final nail in the coffin. In that game, Miller allowed nine runs on 10 hits with three walks and only two strikeouts across four innings.
Even if setting those last four starts aside, Miller’s 2024 season as a whole hasn’t been much better as his development has taken a massive step back from where the Dodgers hoped he could be after some of the promise shown as a rookie last year.
After spending time working with the organization’s player development staff during the All-Star break, Miller is scheduled to start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.
“From what I hear, the body is moving great, more free. Mentally, he feels really in a good spot,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“There’s no pitch limit relative to what he’s done up until this point. I expect the velocity to tick up. I expect the command to be better, and I expect better performance, albeit it’s one outing. But I still think that kind of looking at Bobby, I’m looking forward to that.”
Given the way Miller has pitched all season, outside of his first start, there’s a substantial need for improvement in order to help solidify the Dodgers’ rotation.
On the season, Miller has an 8.07 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, .304 batting average against and has walked 13.5% of hitters faced.
The biggest issue that Miller needs to work on is control. He is striking out fewer batters and walking them significantly more compared to his rookie season. Miller’s strikeout-to-walk ratio is at a meager 6.8% compared to 17.2% from last season.
When will Bobby Miller return to Dodgers?
When discussing the decision to option Miller, Roberts noted there was not any sort of timetable for his return to the Dodgers rotation.
That sentiment still holds true as the right-hander resumes starting in games.
“I think that’s to be determined. A lot of it is on him and how he feels and how he’s performing,” Roberts reiterated.
In the meantime, the Dodgers will have to get by with a rotation of Gavin Stone, Justin Wrobleski, Landon Knack, James Paxton, and Tyler Glasnow once he returns from the injured list next week.
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