Shelby Miller opts out for remainder of 2020 season

Brewers pitcher Shelby Miller joins list of MLB opt-outs

The Milwaukee Brewers had a front-row seat to the St. Louis Cardinals COVID-19 crisis this past weekend, as their series was postponed after at least seven Cards players tested positive for the virus. Since, the total number of cases has jumped to at least 13, with perhaps more to come.

In the wake of such news, another member of the Brewers organization has decided to stay home for the rest of the season, with Shelby Miller opting the reward does not outweigh the risk, especially given he’s not on the active roster right now.

Shelby Miller joins Lorenzo Cain as Brewers players to opt out of the season

To give the Brewers credit, they’ve supported both Miller and Cain after each player chose their health over potential team success in a shortened season, which is exactly how the situation should be handled by the club.

Miller had been working out at the alternate training site, waiting on his turn to join the big-league club. While Miller hasn’t directly stated a reason for opting out, he and his wife welcomed their child, Kyler, to the world in June. Traveling across the country in such uncertain times only to come home to a newborn isn’t necessarily a smart move right now, and Miller’s choice will limit that sort of exposure.

Miller hasn’t seen much success since his All-Star 2017 season, when he went 6-17 with a 3.02 ERA. In 2019, he went 1-3 with an 8.59 ERA for the Texas Rangers. While Miller was hoping for a chance to contribute to a winning team in Milwaukee in 2020, and perhaps regain his reputation as a reliable arm out of the ‘pen, that will have to wait at least a year.