Earlier this offseason, the Chicago Cubs signed oft-injured, oft-excellent reliever Shelby Miller to a big league deal. Because Miller was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, it was a two-year contract, with an eye primarily on what Miller might contribute in 2027 after having a year to work with/rehab with the Cubs’ pitching infrastructure.
That said, Miller’s surgery was in October, and, although the return timeline typically doesn’t have guys pitching competitively at the highest level before the full year mark, we know it does happen.
And Miller tells the Chicago Tribune that a return this year to the Cubs is exactly what he’s aiming for:
“(Dr. Meister) wrote off on, ‘hey, we’re gonna get you back this year’ just by the way I’m rebounding on workouts and the way my arm looks and feels,” Miller told the Tribune on Sunday. “My goal is hopefully be back even a little bit sooner than that (September), depending on how I feel, but I’m really optimistic about getting back this year and contributing.
“I feel like I’ve taken a pretty big step forward in the gym, and the way my elbow’s recovering and not getting sore from all the lifts and stuff I’m doing, I feel like I’m ready to go ….
“It’s more about just the way I recover,” Miller said. “How am I feeling after I start throwing, is there any soreness, how’s my stuff, how is my sweeper and fastball and my sliders and then you just go from there.”
Miller will get an MRI later this month to clear him to start throwing. And then we see what we see. I love that it’s even on the table at all, and I particularly love that Miller feels optimistic about the timeline based on how his workouts have him feeling.
Now, it’s important to say that, even if Shelby Miller does make it back physically such that he can pitch by September, that doesn’t mean he’ll be in a position to contribute to the big league Cubs. A lot would have to line up perfectly for that: the Cubs would have to have a need at that time in the bullpen, Miller would have to look like the best available option to them to fill that need even though he’s coming right off his rehab, and the Cubs would have to believe Miller could not only contribute down the stretch but also potential into the postseason if they were allocating critical innings to him.
Sounds like a leap, but hey, we know that seasons play out in truly unexpected ways. I wouldn’t rule anything out at this point, and obviously, even with all the Cubs’ reliever depth, you ALWAYS want more options later in the season rather than fewer. Heck, it’s possible that Miller, having not thrown 60+ innings already at that point, could be more fresh than some of the guys who pitched all year. Unlikely? Yes. Possible? Also yes.
If things go to plan for the Cubs this year, they’ll have more high-quality options than innings available come September. Which isn’t to say I’m rooting against a scenario where Miller contributes, but only that I’m rooting for the Cubs to be OVERLOADED with pitching by the time the playoffs come around.
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