A former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher is making a return to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a second time.
Shelby Miller and the Diamondbacks have reportedly agreed to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training.
If Miller makes the team, he’ll earn $1 million, with the opportunity to earn an additional $750,000 in bonuses, as reported by Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
Miller previously played for Arizona from 2016 to 2018 after being acquired in a high-profile trade with the Atlanta Braves, which sent Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciarte to Atlanta.
However, his first stint with the Diamondbacks was disappointing. Arizona had hoped he would be a key member of the rotation alongside Zack Greinke, but he struggled significantly.
In 2016, Miller finished with a rough 6.15 ERA in 101 innings. The next year, an elbow injury led to Tommy John surgery, limiting him to just 38 innings over the next two years, with minimal success. Over 28 starts, he posted a 6.35 ERA.
Since leaving Arizona, Miller has transformed into a reliever and shared his experience transitioning to the bullpen with Jack Sommers of Diamondbacks on SI.
“Getting three outs is a lot easier than going seven,” Miller said. “It’s been a change. Preparing my body as I get older and being ready every day is a challenge. The training staff here is the best I’ve ever been around.”
Miller mentioned that being ready daily as a reliever has been easier, and the mindset shift has helped him.
He also has opt-out clauses at the end of spring training and during the season, according to Sommers. Miller isn’t rushing things and believes the familiarity with the Diamondbacks organization will help him adjust.
“Not much has changed,” Miller said. “It’s good to see familiar faces. After playing for nine teams in five years, I wanted to be somewhere I knew. It feels good to be back.”
Since transitioning to the bullpen with the Dodgers two years ago, Miller has posted an impressive 1.71 ERA in 36 appearances, striking out 42 batters in 42 innings.
