The Cardinals announced they’re activating lefty reliever Andrew Miller from the 10-day injured list. Fellow southpaw Tyler Webb was designated for assignment to clear active roster space. Webb’s designation also creates a vacancy on St. Louis’ 40-man roster, which now sits at 39.
Miller has been out since April 30 due to a blister on his right foot. The 36-year-old got off to a poor start before the injury, allowing seven runs with eight strikeouts and four walks over 7 1/3 innings. Perhaps more worrisome, Miller’s raw stuff looks to have taken a significant step back. He averaged just 87.2 MPH on his four-seam fastball and 77.8 MPH on his slider in the season’s first month, down more than two ticks on both offerings relative to last season and nowhere near the mid-90s heater and mid-80s breaking ball he had at his dominant peak.
Despite the diminished stuff, Miller was a decent bullpen option as recently as 2020. He tossed 13 frames of 2.77 ERA/3.41 SIERA ball last year, continuing to miss bats at a quality rate. The St. Louis front office evidently felt he’d be a better second lefty bullpen option (behind Génesis Cabrera) than Webb.
Given how Webb has started the year, that’s certainly a reasonable belief. The 30-year-old has had a nightmarish campaign, allowing a whopping 26 runs (24 earned) over his first 16 1/3 innings. Webb has seemingly lost his control of the strike zone, issuing nineteen free passes while striking out just fourteen. Webb’s 20.7% walk rate is tied for fourth-highest among the 451 pitchers to have thrown at least ten MLB innings this season.
Webb is out of minor league option years, so the Cards could only continue to let him work through his control issues at the major league level or designate him for assignment. Ultimately, the front office made the decision to remove him from the 40-man roster. That’s no doubt a bitter pill to swallow given that Webb pitched to a strong 2.08 ERA/4.22 SIERA just last season. The Cardinals will now have a week to trade him or place him outright waivers.
Would a 34 year old reliever get a 3/34 deal this offseason, like Miller did in 2018?
That said, Miller is so clutch in the playoffs: 7 seasons, 38 IP, 0.93 ERA.
Finally! I would have my softball team make a claim for him, but we like to win.
I really hope this is the end of the Tyler Webb experiment. He is just…HORRIBLE.
W
Bring back Tyler Lyons………or some lefty that can throw strikes and not walk every other batter. Walks usually lead to runs for the opposing team.
When will MLB realize that the elevated velocities are not sustainable, leads to lack of control and significant injury. Let’s teach these guys to pitch rather than just throw. Very few pitchers today have any control.
MLB doesn’t care. If pitchers blow out their arms at an early age, they don’t get the big paydays.
It’s a “contract year” for Miller. Hopefully for our sake, and his, he gets it together.
Dude he’s getting paid 12 million this year to suck. I don’t know about you but I don’t plan on making 12 million in my entire lifetime. I imagine he will survive……
Dude, neither will I. Of course he will survive, but like all major leaguers playing on a contract year contract, I’m sure he would like to prove something this year so that in HIS particular case, maybe he can get one last contract.
I don’t care about his personal goals while he is collecting checks he’s not earning playing for my home team. This bum is a union rep too he’s no good for the game.
Nevermind, you’re obviously missing the point.
Yup – another crappy contract, lets hope with what little time left he can redeem himself
I’ve mentioned this before in an earlier post, but was never thrilled with the Miller signing. I wanted Mo to sign Zack Britton instead when both were available at the same time. Zack has had a better showing with the Yankees than Miller has with the Cardinals.
Mike Shildt aborted his son
That’s kind of random.
maybe the cardinals will abort shildt and the rest of the coaching staff and front office, soon.
I think Shildt has done a nice job this year. Who would you replace him with?
I vote for front office
I mean how do you trade Adolis Garcia for 30 pieces of silver to the Texas Rangers and your team clearly needs a 4th outfield option with Bader hurt? Disaster
I mean, how do you get one of the best stars in the majors in Arenado AND 51 mil without giving up any of your top prospects? Cant just go one way with the criticism.
He looks like a younger version of Shildt. He abandoned his boy! In all seriousness tho, Its not looking good for the team.
He did look like a younger Shildt. My wife thought that they could be related. Lol. Perhaps a visit to the optometrist is in his future.
I assume then,he wasn’t a fortunate one
webb ungemmed
Waiting to hear what the guy who thinks Luke Voit is somehow related to this has to say before reaching any final conclusion.
I LOL’d at that. Not sure why. But I read that thread and it was a treat!
Webb is horrendous
Hope the open roster spot means they’re bringing up another starter or signing a FA arm
Peak Andrew Miller from 2012-2017 was fun to watch, unless he was pitching against your team!
Not sure what’s left in the tank, but he is a lefty, so if he can get healthy, I wouldn’t bet against some level of a rebound.
Don’t believe Miller will finish the season in a MLB uniform. He’s toast. Velocity down 8mph from his peak years. 12+ years in the league. 35+ years old. Cardinals would like to win the division. I see them as buyers with Miller designated.