Full Breakdown
Shelby Miller's Injury: A Setback for the Brewers' Bullpen
9/4/2025, 9:06:35 PM
Shelby Miller Placed on Injured List
The Milwaukee Brewers have placed right-hander Shelby Miller on the 60-day injured list due to a sprained ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. This decision follows Miller's alarming exit from a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he reported feeling a "pop" in his elbow. The 34-year-old veteran is now facing the possibility of a second Tommy John surgery, having previously undergone the procedure in 2017 while with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Miller's current situation adds to the Brewers' injury woes, as the team is already without closer Trevor Megill, left-hander DL Hall, and right-hander Grant Anderson.
Impact on the Brewers' Bullpen
Miller's injury is particularly significant given his role in the Brewers' bullpen. After being acquired at the trade deadline, he had pitched 11 games for Milwaukee, recording a 5.59 ERA. However, prior to his last outing, he had shown promise with a 3.72 ERA and a 14-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In his absence, the Brewers have called up right-hander Joel Payamps from Triple-A Nashville. Payamps, who had a strong performance in the previous two seasons, struggled early in 2025 but has recently shown signs of improvement.
Official Statements & Responses
Miller expressed his pragmatic outlook regarding his injury, stating, "I'm definitely probably going to miss next year. Be ready for 2027, see how my arm feels, see where I'm at in my life and go from there." Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy also voiced his concern, saying, "I just hurt for him... With the number of injuries in our bullpen, it crushes us. But I'm more crushed for the guy." The Brewers currently lead the National League with an 86-54 record, and Miller's absence is a significant blow as they aim for a postseason run.
Criticism & Opposition
While the Brewers have been performing well overall, the injuries to key bullpen members, including Miller, have raised concerns among fans and analysts. Critics argue that the team's reliance on aging pitchers with injury histories may jeopardize their playoff aspirations. Miller's potential second Tommy John surgery adds to the skepticism about the team's depth and future pitching plans.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Baseball has a lot of wear and tear on the body. You play it a long time, as long as I have, there's going to be injuries and setbacks and stuff like that. It's tough.” — Shelby Miller
- “Here's a veteran who comes to a new team, earning the total respect of everybody, immediately got put in leverage, immediately did well most every time.” — Pat Murphy, Brewers Manager
What's Next for Shelby Miller and the Brewers
Miller will meet with Dr. Keith Meister to discuss his MRI results and potential next steps. The outcome of this consultation will determine whether he will undergo surgery, which could significantly impact his career trajectory. Meanwhile, the Brewers will continue to navigate their playoff push without him, relying on the remaining bullpen arms and the newly recalled Payamps to fill the gap.
