The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Bobby Miller from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start on Saturday amid an injury to Tyler Glasnow, but things did not go well for him.
Miller entered the season expected to be an important part of the Dodgers’ rotation until those plans changed when he dealt with an injury and struggled while on the mound.
The Dodgers ended up sending Miller to Triple-A to work on some things due to his lack of performance, but he did not make much progress while in the Minors. Regardless, the Dodgers needed an arm, and he was one of the few available options, manager Dave Roberts noted via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It was certainly a matter of circumstance,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said when asked before the game if Miller had earned his callback based on his performance in Triple-A where he gave up nine runs in 13 innings. “But I think that’s the way it happens a lot of times also.”
Miller ended up lasting just 4.2 innings while allowing four runs on eight hits. He only struck out one, walked one and allowed two homers. Despite walking just the one hitter, command was an issue for Miller throughout the game.
He was never able to put himself in pitchers counts and could not locate his breaking and offspeed pitches. Even his fastball command was off as both homers allowed came against those:
“It’s really just falling behind a few guys. I really think that was the weak spot tonight, just falling behind with early off-speed and fastballs yanking a couple,” Miller said. “Just focus on getting ‘Strike one’ on every single batter and it’s a different ballgame.”
Although he now holds an 8.02 ERA in 33.2 innings this season, the Dodgers find themselves with few options in their rotation, so Miller is expected to get at least one more start with the club:
“That’s the thought right now, yeah,” Roberts said. “But he has to continue to show some improvement, too.”
Thankfully for the Dodgers, Glasnow is not expected to be out long, and he believes he could have pitched through his current injury. Instead, the Dodgers opted on the side of caution and gave him a break.
Why are the Dodgers using Bobby Miller?
The Dodgers are extremely limited in options to start games, as it currently stands. Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski, their top two depth arms, were both recently optioned to Triple-A and must stay there for a minimum of 15 days before they can be recalled, unless due to injury.
Both players also pitched this past week, making them unavailable to start on Saturday. Outside of them and Miller, no one else on their 40-man roster who is not currently on the active roster and healthy has experience starting.
The Dodgers could opt to make a 40-man roster move, but that would require them to open a 40-man roster spot when they already are dealing with a roster crunch.
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