Diamondbacks may send Shelby Miller to minors
The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly considering sending starting pitcher Shelby Miller to the minor leagues.
After another awful start on Tuesday, Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller has an ugly 7.09 ERA after 10 starts. Miller was dominant with the Atlanta Braves last season, but this year he has only struck out 30 batters and walked 29 through 45 2/3 innings.
Now, the Diamondbacks are trying to figure out how to help him. According to Jack Magruder of Today’s Knuckleball, “D-backs chief baseball officer Tony La Russa said on his radio show this morning that sending Miller to the minors was one way of attempting to straighten him out.”
Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart appeared to agree that sending Miller to the minors was possible. When asked specifically about the option, Stewart replied, “We want to get him on track the best way we can. We will figure it out and do what’s needed.”
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The idea that this is even being talked about feels crazy. After posting a 3.02 ERA with the Braves last season, Miller was arguably the hottest name on the starting pitching trade market this past offseason.
The Diamondbacks decided to make Miller their guy, sending an incredible package of young talent to the Braves that included 2015 first-overall pick Dansby Swanson, high-level pitching prospect Aaron Blair and young and talented MLB outfielder Ender Inciarte.
At the time it seemed that the D-Backs paid too much for Miller, but after his horrible start to the season, that trade looks pathetic.
Sending a guy who they put so much stock in to back to the minors is a brutal moment, but the Diamondbacks have to get Miller back on track.
A team that spent big to compete right away is currently sitting at 21-27.
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