ATLANTA -- The Brewers’ “A” relief group could get a fresh arm as soon as Friday if things continue to go as planned for Shelby Miller, the veteran right-hander acquired from the D-backs at last week’s Trade Deadline.
The Brewers agreed to pick up the bulk of injured left-hander Jordan Montgomery’s remaining contract in exchange for Miller, who has been on the injured list since July 7 with a right forearm strain but was just completing his comeback as of the Deadline. He made a rehab appearance for Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday night and struck out the side on 17 pitches.
“Really impressive stuff,” said Brewers GM Matt Arnold. “He was 94-96 [mph], touching 97 and all the reports were really positive.”
Arnold stopped short of saying Miller would be activated on Friday, when the Brewers host the Mets in the opener of a three-game series at American Family Field. That’s because club officials were waiting to ensure there were no last-minute red flags as Miller recovered from his first outing in a full month.
If healthy, the 34-year-old could be a significant addition to the hard-working relievers who have been setting up All-Star closer Trevor Megill. Abner Uribe (53 games), Jared Koenig (52) and Grant Anderson (51) all ranked in the top 20 in appearances among NL pitchers going into play Wednesday.
Miller posted a 1.98 ERA and 10 saves while holding opponents to a .190 average in 37 appearances for the D-backs this season before his injury in early July.
“He’s a veteran and we can always use somebody like that,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.
Especially now. Friday begins a stretch in which the Brewers play 25 games in 25 days with only one open date.
“We don’t envision him being a multi-inning type of contributor, but he has 10 saves this year, so it’s a guy that we feel comfortable putting in a high-leverage role right away,” Arnold said. “And the experience that he has at the front end of games and at the back is really valuable. It allows us to space out the guys who have been great this year.”
Miller will wear No. 55 when he’s called up by the Brewers. He’s familiar to Milwaukee fans from his time with the Cardinals early in his career, and perhaps from his stint in Milwaukee’s Minor League system in late 2019 and Spring Training in 2020. Miller eventually opted out of the rest of that season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.