Bobby Miller starts rehab Sunday with Rancho Cucamonga

22/05/2024 02:38

Dodgers starter pitched three simulated innings to teammates before Tuesday's game at Dodger Stadium. Miller has been out since April 10 with shoulder inflammation.

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller will begin a minor league rehab assignment on Sunday for the Low-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, as he works his way back from shoulder inflammation that has sidelined him for six weeks.

Miller's latest step in his rehab came before Tuesday's game at Dodger Stadium, when he threw roughly 50 pitches in three simulated innings, facing Dodgers teammates Chris Taylor, Gavin Lux, and Miguel Vargas, in addition to Juan Alonso, a 20-year-old outfielder who plays for Rancho Cucamonga.

"I think it was what you'd expect the first time out, the command of his pitches wasn't going to be there," manager Dave Roberts said. "But the exercise of getting him up and down three times was accomplished."

Last Wednesday in San Francisco, Miller threw two simulated innings, but did not face any hitters. He pitched three innings on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, and will likely throw that many when he takes the mound Sunday for the Quakes, who are home to face Modesto.

Roberts said Miller would need multiple rehab assignments, possibly three starts, before he's ready to return, likely progressing three innings, then four, and five before getting activated. He last pitched in the majors on April 10 in Minnesota.

Mapping that out, a two-start rehab assignment would mean Miller could be back during that June 7-9 series against the Yankees in New York. Making three rehab starts means Miller might be ready the next week once the Dodgers are home against the Rangers and Royals. In other words, there is a long time before having to worry about how Miller slots into the rotation, and whether that rotation will carry six pitchers or five.

"Let's get Bobby through Sunday, and we'll go from there," Roberts said.

Notes

Max Muncy was also doing work on the field Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, as he works his way back from a strained right oblique muscle. Muncy stretched, took grounders, and threw. Up next is hitting in a cage either Wednesday or Thursday, followed by at least one or two games on a rehab assignment. Muncy last played on May 15.

Evan Phillips is nearing a rehab assignment, and that could be at either Rancho Cucamonga or with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Phillips, who strained his right hamstring on May 4, will need at least two, maybe three games in the minors before returning.