Dodgers Make Drastic Move, Optioning Bobby Miller to Minors
The Dodgers took a drastic step with struggling starting pitcher Bobby Miller on Wednesday, optioning the 25-year-old right-hander to the minor leagues in advance of their game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Right-handed reliever Ricky Vanasco was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
As noted by Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, the team did not specify which minor league affiliate Miller was assigned to, which could qualify this move as outside the norm for a struggling youngster with minor league options:
Still, on the surface, it’s a surprising demotion for a pitcher who has only made seven major league starts this season but has also fallen sharply from his 2023 form.
Last year, as a rookie, Miller went 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts, stabilizing an injury-riddled rotation enough to earn a postseason start in the Dodgers’ National League Division Series matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers’ rotation is riddled with injuries again. Rather than a solution, Miller has been part of the problem.
Miller made only three starts, including the Dodgers’ fourth game of the regular season, before landing on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation on April 13. Only one of the three starts — a six-inning, no-run performance against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 29 — went well.
Assuming Miller was healthy when he was activated on June 19, the shoulder injury does not support an excuse for his struggles. He’s thrown only 17.1 innings in the four starts since returning from the IL, allowing 24 hits, 12 walks, 19 runs and striking out five. Miller allowed five home runs in the four games as opponents have slashed .338/.434/.620 against him.
The last straw: a 10-1 loss Tuesday in Philadelphia in which the Phillies ambushed Miller for 10 hits, nine runs and two homers — including a grand slam by Trea Turner.
Vanasco, 25, returns to the Dodgers for the second time this season. He threw two shutout innings in his only major league appearance with the club on April 15. He’ll provide a fresh arm for a bullpen that needed utility player Kiké Hernandez to mop up the final innings of Tuesday’s lopsided loss.
With Miller off the roster, the Dodgers are now without their Nos. 1-3 starters. Tyler Glasnow (back) joined Yoshinobu Yamamoto (shoulder) on the injured list Tuesday.
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Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
I’m glad they did that for Miller. I was huge on him when they drafted him. It seems to me the real key to Miller, Bueler and any pitcher is location. The old phrase location, location, location. That’s how I succeeded in my youth. Velocity for these guys looks good but lack of command. With a ton of ? Marks for so many of our pitchers. We need two guys. I hope we get a Flaherty and the WhiteSox pitcher. We’re in worse shape then what is being presented by Dodger Blue. Yes patience but I think we’re in trouble with are pitching.
I agree
it’s more than control(throwing strikes) its command( putting the ball where you want it)
Further , there seems to be anew style of windup which i adamantly disagree with
I think it s not only non productive but risks arm trouble. I may be wrong because there is little arm trouble , right???
Unfortunately for Miller he doesn’t have the ability to settle himself during games. A very difficult task. I’m not sure what is used currently but, we had success with meditation and breathing techniques with players we worked with in Europe. It’s nothing complicated, just a level of continuous focus on achieving goals through positive thinking and calmness.
Need new coach he can’t make a bating order