Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Shelby Miller has a tear in his UCL, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. That injury usually precedes Tommy John surgery, though Miller is currently evaluating options.
#Dbacks Shelby Miller has tear in UCL. Evaluating his options. Also has flexor strain.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) April 27, 2017
Miller, whom the Diamondbacks acquired for former No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson last season, flopped in 2016. In 101 innings, Miller had a 6.09 ERA, though his 4.37 FIP was less abhorrent.
Former D-backs GM Dave Stewart — fired in part because of the trade — took credit for Arizona’s success this season, presumably in part because of that trade, earlier this week. Maybe that should have been a warning sign.
Miller’s pitching had rebounded slightly this season, with his ERA standing at 4.09 before landing on the DL. His strikeouts were up and his FIP was down.
The red-hot Diamondbacks will miss Miller, but this isn’t the end of the world. He’s likely the third-best pitcher in their rotation. But if Robbie Ray keeps pitching well and Taijuan Walker’s ERA gets closer to his 3.25 FIP, Arizona will survive with Miller’s replacement (likely right-hander Zach Godley, who tossed five innings and gave up two runs against San Diego on Wednesday).