Diamondbacks place struggling pitcher Shelby Miller on the DL
May 27, 2016, 10:46 AM | Updated: 3:36 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller collects himself on the mound after giving up a three run home run to Pittsburgh Pirates' Gregory Polanco during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, May 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
To say Shelby Miller has struggled this season would be an understatement.
The pitcher, acquired in an offseason trade with Atlanta that saw the Diamondbacks part with Dansby Swanson, Aaron Blair and Ender Inciarte, has started 10 games for Arizona, and in them posted a 7.09 ERA to go along with a 1-6 record.
Miller has made it through six innings just twice, and in his most recent start in Pittsburgh Tuesday was knocked around for six runs on eight hits with four walks in just five innings.
Speaking with Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Wednesday morning, D-backs Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa went over a few ideas the team was tossing around with regards to trying to get Miller on track, including moving him to the bullpen a la Rubby De La Rosa or perhaps sending him down to the minor leagues.
The team decided to go a different route.
Thursday morning manager Chip Hale said Miller was still dealing with some discomfort in his fingers after hitting them on the pitching mound in back-to-back starts last month, and that is what led to the team’s next move with the pitcher, as he was placed on the 15-day DL with a right finger sprain Friday.
Miller will be joined on the DL by fellow hurler Rubby De La Rosa, who is dealing with right elbow inflammation.
Those were not the only moves the D-backs made Friday, though, as they optioned pitchers Andrew Chafin and Evan Marshall to Reno and recalled pitchers Josh Collmenter, Dominic Leone and Silvino Bracho as well as outfielder Peter O’Brien from Triple-A.
Miller’s next turn in the rotation would be Sunday at home against the San Diego Padres, and Archie Bradley — whose latest start for Triple-A Reno was skipped — will get the nod in his place. Bradley has started two games for the Diamondbacks this season. His most recent outing, on May 9, saw him allow four runs and seven hits while walking three and striking out four in a 10-5 win over the Colorado Rockies.
As for Monday, when De La Rosa would be starting, Hale said left-hander Edwin Escobar will take the hill. The 24-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox earlier this season, and in five starts for Reno has posted a 2-1 record with a 4.68 ERA.
