Bobby Miller has been on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation since April 13 but could soon reclaim a spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation.
The 25-year-old made his second rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday and allowed four runs on five hits in 3.1 innings of work. He hit a batter, issued one walk and did not have a strikeout.
More concerning were reports that Miller’s fastball velocity was down. “I didn’t talk to Bobby. I know he was in the dugout late, so I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Miller’s outing against the Lake Elsinore Storm.
“Early on, I thought I heard that the velocity was down and there were some hits out there. I didn’t watch the video or talk to Bobby, so I don’t know if those guys were just aggressive early, if there were some plays not made, hard dirt.
“I don’t know. But, you know, the velocity was something that was a couple miles an hour lower than what is typical for Bobby, though.”
Roberts said that Miller’s drop in velocity has nothing to do with a physical issue. “No, because I would have heard that. So it’s nothing too concerning,” Roberts said of Miller’s health.
“It’s just one of those things that wasn’t typical of Bobby. But I don’t think it was a situation where it was because of injury or something like that.”
Miller is one of the hardest throwers in baseball as his fastball velocity averages just over 98 mph. While the decline in velocity is far from ideal, the team can exhale that Miller does not seem to be battling an injury.
Through two rehab starts, Miller is 0-1 with a 9.95 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 6.1 innings pitched. He went 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA, 3.83 FIP and 1.46 WHIP in three starts for the Dodgers before landing on the IL.
Bobby Miller making third rehab start
With Miller laboring through two Minor League starts, Roberts said he will continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City this week. “Yeah, I think so,” Roberts answered when asked if Miller could make another rehab start.
“We’ve got to feel really confident, he’s got to feel confident. Make sure that all the boxes are checked. His next one will be in six days on Friday for that OKC team.
“And then, you know, we’ll see if we can get him into the fifth inning or through the fifth inning which would be nice. If not, we’ll have a conversation and see where we’re at.”
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