With Alzolay injured, Cubs bring up Miller for ML debut
Adbert Alzolay, who stated two games for the Cubs last season, was the obvious choice to come in for a spot start in Monday's doubleheader against St. Louis.
But Alzolay took a line drive off his right forearm recently while working out in South Bend. So the Cubs instead called on Tyson Miller to make his major league debut and start Game 2.
Miller retired the Cardinals in the first inning, then gave up a 2-run homer to Brad Miller in the second inning
Miller, 25, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Cubs in 2016 out of California Baptist. A native of La Quinta, Calif., near Palm Springs, Miller went a combined 7-8 with a 4.35 ERA between Double A Tennessee and Triple A Iowa last season.
"Tyson's been throwing really well," Cubs manager David Ross said before the doubleheader. "He's got a couple new toys that he's developed down there in South Bend as far as pitch mix. All the feedback, he was the guy who was throwing the best at the time with what happened to Adbert. He just slotted right in and we're excited to watch him make his debut today."
Ross doesn't think Alzolay's bruised forearm is anything serious. He said Alzolay remains a candidate to start in Wednesday's next doubleheader with the Cardinals.
"Obviously the throwing forearm is an important area, so it's a day-to-day thing," Ross said.
Teams are allowed to bring up an extra player on days they are scheduled for doubleheaders.