The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated Shelby Miller from the 60-day injured list and optioned Ryan Pepiot to Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to their series opener against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.
Miller returns after missing 10 weeks due to neck pain that was caused by a herniated disc. When he was originally placed on the 15-day injured list June 21, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts estimated the right-hander would be out for a minimum of three weeks.
However, it was then discovered Miller’s neck injury was more serious than first believed. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 14. The herniated disc caused numbness down his left arm.
The 32-year-old began a rehab assignment with the Arizona Complex League (ACL) Dodgers on August 5 and made three total starts for the affiliate. Miller then joined Oklahoma City, where he made five relief appearances — the last of which came on Sunday.
Miller arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday night and was in the Dodgers clubhouse after they completed a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Miller is 1-0 with one save, a 2.40 ERA, 4.51 FIP and 1.00 WHIP across 25 appearances in his first season with the Dodgers. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract that included performance bonuses.
Meanwhile, Pepiot heads back to the Minors after his third game (first start) with the Dodgers this season. He conceivably is the team’s best option to replace Tony Gonsolin in the starting rotation, but the Dodgers have not committed to as much.
Roberts reiterated after Pepiot’s start on Wednesday that his strong performances this season were continuing to warrant more opportunities but in an undecided role.
Pepiot is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with the Dodgers this season. His 2023 debut with the team was delayed due to a prolonged recovery from a left oblique strain/intercostal injury.
Shelby Miller encouraged after long road
While Miller missed a significant portion of the 2023 season, he’s confident the neck injury is no longer an issue and is looking forward to finding his footing before the playoffs.
“I think I’m in a really good place to come back and help the team down the stretch,” Miller said. “Get some big league innings back under my belt, facing some good teams down the stretch, so it will be a good test for not only myself but all of us to get prepared to make this playoff push.”
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