Chicago Cubs Designate Right-Handed Reliever for Assignment

The Chicago Cubs made a somewhat surprising roster move over the weekend by designating Tyson Miller for assignment. Miller, 29, had been one of their most important arms out of the bullpen in 2024 after being traded from the Seattle Mariners early in the season. Miller wasn’t able to get any action with the major league team this year due to a hip injury he sustained in the down period between the Tokyo Series and the Cubs opening up their season stateside.

As Miller was rehabbing in AAA Iowa, reports indicated that his velocity was down and he was struggling with command. The Chicago Cubs decided that rather than risk adding Miller to the active roster and taking away from another pitcher on the staff, they would just designate him for assignment and see if a team claims him or is interested enough to trade for him. If no team claims him and he accepts an outright back to AAA, Miller can continue to work and maybe see the mound for the Chicago Cubs in 2025 down the line.

Tyson Miller Activated from IL, DFA’d By Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs made a pair of unexpected transactions this weekend. First, they activated Tyson Miller off the 60-day injured list. Second, they instantly designated him for assignment. Miller had been making his way back from a hip impingement injury that kept him from taking the mound with the major league team this season. Miller, 29, suffered the injury at the end of March, in between the 2025 Tokyo Series between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Cubs beginning regular season play in the United States.

The move comes as a shock because of the stellar pitching that Miller provided the Chicago Cubs in 2024. After being acquired in May of last season from the Seattle Mariners, Miller became one of their more reliable relievers. In 49 appearances with the Cubs, Miller went 5-1 with a 2.15 ERA and 0.81 WHIP across 50.1 innings. Miller was looking forward to starting the season as one of Chicago’s top leverage arms out of the bullpen, but the hip injury derailed that vision and has now led to his designation.

What Led To the Decision

The Cubs opted to keep Miller off the roster rather than lose a current member of their bullpen and without any minor league options available, they were left with the option to designate him for assignment. One reason for the decision could be his struggles during his rehab assignments in AAA Iowa. While his 2.77 ERA in 13 innings looks solid, reports indicated that his velocity was down a tick and that he was struggling with his command.

It is unclear if Miller is still dealing with any issues related to his hip, but another team will likely take a chance on Miller given what he has done in his career, especially last season. In his four-year career, Miller has been almost exclusively a bullpen arm. In 77 big league appearances, Miller is carrying a 7-3 record with a 3.87 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 93 innings. His unique delivery and arm slot make him an enticing member of any bullpen, and a team that is willing to take Miller in could reap the rewards of seeing him when he is back in a rhythm on the mound.

The rigidity of the Cubs’ current bullpen led to this decision. Daniel Palencia is the only member of the bullpen who has minor league options left and given his importance to the team, the Cubs were not going to send him down to accommodate Miller.