Former Dodgers Pitcher Designated For Assignment By AL Contenders
Out of the 21 relief innings that the Detroit Tigers’ bullpen was forced to pitch in three games against the Baltimore Orioles, former Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Shelby Miller didn’t pitch any.
Miller’s role had been reduced. By the time the Tigers called up their top pitching prospect, Jackson Jobe, the writing was on the wall.
Tuesday, it became official: Miller was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot for Jobe.
“His usage had declined,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who gave Miller the news after the team plane landed in Detroit Sunday night. “I hadn’t used him a ton. I didn’t even get him up in Baltimore and the decision hadn’t even been made on what we were doing at that point (with Jobe).
“It became more and more clear (Miller) was falling toward the back of the line. That combination with us wanting to get Jackson in the mix made him the odd man out.”
The 33-year-old had only pitched 4.2 innings in September. However, his last outing was great, stranding the bases loaded and preserving a win for Detroit over Kansas City.
Overall, the season was tumultuous for Miller. He had eight losses out of the bullpen and blew seven saves.
“There was a lot of good and a lot of times he struggled, as well,” Hinch said. “But like I told him, it was one or two pitches here, one or two pitches there and he got burned by the long ball a lot. That was unfortunate for us and unfortunate for him.
“Because there were stretches when he got a lot of big outs.”
The Tigers signed Miller to a $3 million contract this offseason, which included a team option for 2025, following a strong finish with the Dodgers last year. His success in Los Angeles was partly due to his development of a splitter.
By making 51 appearances, Miller earned a $100,000 bonus in his contract. Additionally, the Tigers will need to pay him the $250,000 buyout associated with the team option.
Over the past four years, Miller has played for five different organizations, and he expressed a desire to establish himself with the Tigers at the end of August.
“I’d love to come back,” he said. “I love it here. I love the guys. I love the city. I’m kind of tired of bouncing around and being with a bunch of organizations.
“It feels right here.”
Baseball is a tough business. Hopefully, Miller lands on his feet elsewhere.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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