Miller off to good start on comeback trail with Chicago Cubs
Jake Arrieta isn't the only veteran right-handed pitcher trying to recapture the old magic in Cubs training camp this spring.
Shelby Miller is in a smaller but similar boat.
Pitching for the Cubs in 2015, Arrieta won the National League Cy Young Award while going 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA.
That same season, Miller was an all-star in the Braves' starting rotation. He was 11th in the NL with a 3.02 ERA.
Pitching for the Cardinals in 2013, Miller was 15-9 with a 3.06 ERA.
Arrieta fell on hard times after leaving the Cubs and joining the Phillies in 2018 on a three-year, $75 million contract. The 35-year-old pitcher is back with his old team on a $4 million deal with a $10 million option (and $2 million buyout) for 2022.
Miller had a similar decline, and he pitched in only nine games with the Diamondbacks in 2017-18 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
After opting out of last season, which was shortened by COVID-19, Miller signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs. He will get a reported $875,000 if he makes the roster, with another $600,000 available in bonus money.
Like Arrieta, staying healthy is a major goal for Miller this spring and into the season.
So far, the 30-year-old Miller is feeling good as training camp has reached the halfway point.
After starting against the Brewers on Saturday and allowing 1 run on 2 hits in 2 innings to go with 3 strikeouts, the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder said "it was the best I've felt in awhile."
Miller's first Cactus League appearance for the Cubs was 1 scoreless inning out of the bullpen, and he did split the 2019 season with the Rangers as a starter and reliever.
If the Cubs want him to remain in the swing role this year, that's OK with Miller.
"Whatever the opportunity is," he said. "However I can help this team win is what I'll do. I'm really preparing to build up just in case that kind of opportunity (starting) presents itself. Coming out of the pen or starting, who knows?
"I guess it's something I'll have to adapt to if that's the way we go about this. I'm open to any opportunity and just going to make it work however we have to make it work."
On Thursday, Miller is scheduled to relieve starter Kyle Hendricks and pitch 2 innings of relief against the Rockies.
There are openings in the Cubs' rotation and bullpen, so Miller is in a good position to join the staff if he keeps pitching well and avoids injury.
"I think he can do both," manager David Ross said. "I think he could be a swingman. I think he could give us an inning of some real electric stuff out of the bullpen if we asked. Talking to him, he's willing to do whatever to make the team and to be a part of this team.
"He's had some bumps in his journey, but I feel like he's in a really good place for us."
Giants 7, Cubs 6
Alec Mills started for the Cubs on Wednesday and allowed 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk in 2⅓ innings against San Francisco.
First baseman Alfonso Rivas sparked the offense with a 2-run double in the ninth inning. A day after he hit a walk-off grand slam vs. the A's, outfielder Rafael Ortega was 2-for-3 with 1 RBI.