ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

He’s back: Shelby Miller will make season debut for D-backs on Monday

Jun 21, 2018, 1:56 PM

Arizona Diamondbacks' Shelby Miller throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball ga...

Arizona Diamondbacks' Shelby Miller throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Tuesday, March 7, 2017, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller will make his MLB return from Tommy John surgery Monday against the Miami Marlins, the team announced Thursday.

Miller, who has been sidelined for more than a year after tearing his UCL against the Dodgers in April of 2017, has made four rehab starts this season.

He had his ups and downs, but impressed in his final rehab start.

Playing with Single-A Visalia, Miller went 6.2 innings, allowing just three hits and no runs on 81 pitches (56 strikes). He also struck out 10 and did not register a walk. He saw his fastball reach 95 mph.

Miller joins a big-league club where injuries have been an issue for the starting rotation. Robbie Ray has been out since April 29 with a right oblique strain and Taijuan Walker made just three starts before having Tommy John surgery.

To celebrate Miller’s return to the D-backs, the team had some fun with the announcement, guessing Monday’s starter with just the use of emojis.

The move comes following the team’s decision to option starting pitcher Matt Koch to Triple-A Reno following Tuesday’s 5-4 loss.

First pitch for Monday’s game is set for 4:10 p.m. You can catch all the action by tuning into ESPN 620 AM.

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