CINCINNATI -- The Reds didn't wait for the MRI results on Hunter Greene's right groin strain Wednesday morning to know their rotation ace would need to be parked for at least a couple of weeks. Fortunately for Cincinnati, the club had someone in its backyard ready to step in.
Greene was placed on the 15-day injured list and veteran left-handed starter Wade Miley was signed to a one-year contract on Wednesday. Miley will earn a prorated salary of $2.5 million with an additional $1.5 million in performance incentives. The 38-year-old had just opted out of his Minor League deal with the Reds on Sunday when there wasn't a big league rotation spot available and the club wanted him for a relief role.
“We were going to have him in the bullpen knowing that at some point we’d probably need him [to start]. Well, it happened a little quicker," manager Terry Francona said.
To make room for Miley on the 40-man roster, starting pitcher Rhett Lowder (right forearm strain/left oblique injury) was moved to the 60-day IL.
Miley was available from the bullpen Wednesday vs. Milwaukee and showed some rust with four runs and six hits allowed over two innings in a 9-1 loss. His first start in Greene's place is tentatively scheduled for Monday at Cleveland.
Greene is 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA in 11 starts this season and was making his third start on Tuesday since being on the IL from May 8-27 with another strain of his right groin. The right-hander felt something while making his final two pitches of the fifth inning during the Reds’ 4-2 win over the Brewers and exited the game.
“We stayed here for a while last night," Francona said. "We talked to him. We talked to the trainers. Since it’s happened once and now this is twice, we’ve got to figure this out. His lower back was starting to [bother him], we’re trying to figure out if it was related. We’ve got to get him healthy. It was kind of an easy decision, even without seeing the MRI.”
Enter Miley. The veteran of 14 big league seasons, including 2020-21 with the Reds, remained in suburban Cincinnati with his family since Sunday's opt out and explored opportunities with other clubs. But he also stayed in touch with president of baseball operations Nick Krall.
“There were a few talks but nothing crazy. I’ve never been in this situation before, so I didn’t know what it was going to be like. But at the end of the day, here we are," said Miley, who threw a no-hitter for the Reds at Cleveland on May 7, 2021. “I appreciate Nick and the Reds organization for how they handled it. I’m excited, and I look forward to it. I got to spend some time at home and with the family, and now it’s time to get back to work.”
While still recovering from 2024 Tommy John surgery on his left elbow, Miley was signed to a Minor League contract by Cincinnati on Feb. 4 and continued his rehab. Including rehab assignment games in the Minors, he 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. He hadn’t pitched in the Majors since April 16, 2024.
Miley found pitching in the Minors difficult, both because of the lower stakes and because of a lack of scouting reports and more aggressive hitters. He was also feeling his way through his elbow recovery after the first major surgery of his long career.
“I was chasing, trying to get to a certain pitch count, trying to get a certain innings limit,” Miley said. "I’ve always been able to go out and compete and enjoy it, but there were times where it was tough to get ready, tough to get motivated.
“I’ll be honest with you, my stuff’s not that great. I really utilize information and attacking dudes’ weak spots and stuff like that. When you have no idea where they’re at, 88 [mph] over the middle or on a third [of the plate], it’s like BP for those guys. I threw a lot of strikes, and they hit a lot of strikes right back at me.”
The expectation is that Miley’s experience and heightened competition will bring out the best in him for one more season.
“He was in full [uniform] this morning at 8:30. I thought I was the only one here," Francona said. "It’s really welcomed. We’ve been waiting for him. There’s no getting around it. He’s a bright light, man. He brings a lot. We’re all glad about that.”