PHOENIX — When pitcher Shelby Miller re-entered Chase Field as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first time since 2018, there was a sense of familiarity. He reunited with manager Torey Lovullo and members of the training staff he got to know during his previous three years in Sedona red.
The roster on the other hand is very different, as Miller pointed to Ketel Marte as the only holdover. And Miller himself is a much different pitcher than he was back then.
Miller has reinvented himself after flaming out as a starter with the Diamondbacks into a productive reliever in this chapter of his career.
RELATED STORIES
Arizona Diamondbacks 2025 season preview: Everything you need to know
Diamondbacks pitching preview: What has to go right this season?
The Diamondbacks became a cautionary tale by trading No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson to Atlanta for 25-year-old Miller, who was coming off an All-Star season. The idea was to pair Miller and massive free agent addition Zack Greinke atop the rotation.
By injury (including Tommy John surgery) and poor performance, Miller’s tenure in Arizona was a disaster. He only pitched 29 games with a 6.35 ERA across three seasons. Swanson went on to make a couple All-Star teams and win Gold Gloves for Atlanta.
Over his last two years, however, Miller found a groove working in relief. He threw 97.2 frames of relief with a 3.32 ERA between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers in 2023-24.
“Feels like so long ago,” Miller said on Opening Day Thursday. “I don’t think I’ve started since 2019. In those years, I was kind of hurt too in ’17 and ’18 a lot and wasn’t really around the team. So you’re kind of just a nomad out at Salt River by yourself. I learned a lot back then and kind of grew as a pitcher, just having to think and learn different things and workouts and all the stuff to stay healthy. So definitely been a long journey, long road, but I’m super excited to be back.”
Shelby Miller is back with the Diamondbacks, this time in the bullpen. He discussed his career arc before Opening Day. pic.twitter.com/kOr2to6BTa
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) March 27, 2025
“He was just a young, up-and-coming, hard-throwing pitcher when I first met him and had really good stuff,” Lovullo said. “Just maybe didn’t have the consistency of how he was using it. What I’m seeing today is somebody that is still very aggressive with his fastball front to back, can change speeds and he knows how to control that.”
The Diamondbacks gave Miller a flier as a non-roster invitee in spring training, and the 34-year-old earned a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. He struck out 11 batters without any walks in seven spring training innings.
His fastball velocity is exactly the same as 2016, but the spin rate and its effectiveness are night and day compared to his last stint in Arizona.
He’s also incorporated a split-changeup, which has worked as an out pitch.
“I think adding split-finger changeups helped me a lot, and then bringing back my old slider in spring training — I didn’t really throw it in the off season, I talked to (pitching coach Brian Kaplan) and he wanted me to bring it back, so that’s fairly new — I think that’s kind of what’s translated for me,” Miller said. “Obviously, still have a good fastball for swing-and-miss and just kind of putting the pieces together.”
Shelby Miller's 4Ks. pic.twitter.com/XiyTysaC44
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 4, 2024
General manager Mike Hazen said Miller’s strike throwing consistency stood out, expressing interest in the reliever’s ability to attack hitters in the zone.
The Diamondbacks went into the offseason looking to beef up their bullpen depth, and spring training injuries have put a strain on the group entering the season.
Kevin Ginkel will start on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation, although he is not expected to be down for extended time. Free agent acquisition Kendall Graveman is also on the mend to start the year with back issues, and he’ll throw a bullpen next week to ramp back up. Jordan Montgomery, who did not win a rotation spot and was set for a long relief role to start the year, will get Tommy John surgery next week.
These developments swung the door way open for Miller to not only make the team but potentially fill an important role both as a middle reliever and possibly in certain late-game scenarios. Starters are still working their pitch counts up, and Miller has thrown multiple innings in spring training outings.
“Last year, the front side of the bullpen didn’t pitch very well,” Hazen said. “Our 6-3 games turned into 10-3 games, and we ended up having to use more relievers than you want to in those situations. So hopefully that front part is a little more stable, staying away from the leverage guys as much as we can just to space out their workload.”
Miller agreed that this reunion is full circle from his days trying to establish himself as a starter. It’s been a humbling experience, not without doubt creeping in that he’d ever be in the position he is in today.
“Especially when I was injured and going through a rough patch, you always doubt,” Miller said. “I mean, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows, it’s a tough game to play.”
Evidently, the hunger to get his career on track extended his playing days, and it is not lost that he has an opportunity to help a team with playoff aspirations.
“I was a part of that Dodgers team where we got the brakes beat off of us (in 2023),” Miller said. “Obviously the offense here is really good. They already had (Zac) Gallen and Merrill (Kelly) and added (Corbin) Burnes to the starting staff. I think there’s a lot to love about this team. … We have the same goal to go out there and win and ultimately get to the playoffs and hopefully win the World Series.”
Follow @alexjweiner
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Shelby Miller earns 2nd chance with Diamondbacks as reliever )
Also on site :
- NHL playoffs put spotlight on glaring inequality that favors just six teams
- Southeast Weld Fire screens firefighters for esophageal cancer
- Cardinal Dolan Receives Award From Becket for Religious Liberty Leadership