Searching for MLB starting job, Miley triggers opt-out clause with Reds
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CHICAGO -- The Reds lost some more starting pitcher depth on Sunday, but it wasn't because of an injury. Veteran left-hander Wade Miley triggered the opt-out clause in his Minor League contract and became a free agent.
While still rehabbing from 2024 Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, Miley was signed Feb. 4 to a Minor League deal that included a standard June 1 opt-out if he hadn't reached the big leagues. Miley informed president of baseball operations Nick Krall of his decision after discussing Cincinnati's situation.
"We told him we don’t have a place to start him. So he’s going to look around at places to start," Reds manager Terry Francona said. "This is one of the reasons I wanted to come to the Reds. The way Nick handled it with him, I don’t know if it’s always like that everywhere."
Including rehab assignment games in the Minors, Miley had an 8.84 ERA over seven starts with High-A Dayton and Triple-A Louisville. He last started for Louisville on Friday and allowed two runs over five innings.
The Reds could have promoted Miley to be a reliever, but chose not to.
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“That’s not the right way to do it, especially with a guy like that," Francona said of the veteran of 14 seasons.
Beyond their current five starters, the Reds have injuries to Carson Spiers (right shoulder impingement) and No. 2 prospect Rhett Lowder (right forearm and left oblique). No. 6 prospect Chase Petty struggled during his two spot starts in the big leagues.
If he was ready to return to the big leagues, Miley could have been good depth to have.
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Francona met Miley in camp and immediately liked him.
“[Miley] is what you’re looking for," Francona said. "But to throw him in the bullpen to try and keep [him] because if we have something happen, it’s not good. But it’s not entirely fair to him. I just appreciate the way Nick handled it with him.”
If Miley doesn't land a big league job somewhere, he could return to the Reds organization under a new Minor League contract.