Bobby Miller entered Spring Training this year in a three-way competition for the final spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation, but suffered a setback when he struck in the head by a comebacker during his first Cactus League appearance.
The incident required Miller to enter concussion protocol, but he avoided any major health concerns.
Miller began playing catch earlier in the week, a positive sign for a quick recovery that made an impression on Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
“Very impressed,” Roberts said in response to Miller’s rapid progress. “I like the way that you’ve sort of got to get back on the horse, and I think he is of that mind. When you start layering on getting back on the mound and a hitter, that’s another hurdle, I’m assuming. But we’re going to support him and I’m confident he’s going to be just fine.”
Since beginning to play catch on Monday, Miller has continued to ramp up intensity and threw a bullpen session on Friday, though he remains in the concussion protocol.
“He’s coming along, the protocol is going well,” Roberts said.
In the aftermath of the dangerous situation, Miller remains in good spirits and has no qualms about making a return to the mound when he is healthy.
Perhaps the greatest indicator is his willingness to watch the video of the ball striking his head, something he had refused to do with similar videos of other pitchers in the past.
Bobby Miller’s outlook
Miller already advancing to the point of throwing a bullpen session certainly is a positive step, but it has not yet been decided when he’ll return to the mound in a Cactus League game. That presumably will not occur until Miller is out of the concussion protocol.
That in turn could hinder Miller’s odds of earning the final spot in the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation.
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and Shohei Ohtani are up next as they are scheduled to make their 2025 Cactus League debuts on Friday.
