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Milwaukee Brewers Sign 6th-Year Reliever, Former Cubs Rival to Minor-League Deal 3 Jun 24, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jose Herrera (left) celebrates with pitcher Shelby Miller (right) after defeating the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Injured Brewers pitcher gets encouraging update, may avoid worst-case scenario in 2026

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Sep 11, 2025 4:53 PM ET

For all intents and purposes, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Shelby Miller trade was a bust. Arizona’s co-closer was supposed to give the bullpen another-high leverage arm for the rest of the season. Instead, he gave the Brewers 11 games before sustaining a year-ending elbow injury.

The most regrettable misfortune, of course, is to Miller himself. He already has one Tommy John surgery under his belt; now he’s likely to need another. Set to turn 35 shortly after the season ends, the 13-year veteran has only so much gas left in the tank.

He did, at least, get some positive news during the series in Texas. It won’t impact the Brewers, but it’s good to hear that Miller could be back sooner than anticipated.

The injury ruined his Brewers stint, but Miller may have avoided worst-case outcome

Typically, pitchers take 12 to 18 months to recover from Tommy John. Based on the diagnosis Miller received from a Texas doctor, the Round Rock native may be looking at close to a minimum length absence. Via team reporter Adam McCalvy:

Shelby Miller said he had an encouraging visit here in Texas with Dr. Keith Meister. He’ll undergo surgery at some point, but the hope right now is that it won’t be a full UCL repair. That would leave open the possibility of a late-season comeback in 2026.

— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) September 10, 2025

For the Brewers, the relationship is likely over. Miller will be a free agent this offseason and still in recovery when spring training rolls around. If he signs somewhere before the end of next season, it should be closer to his eventual return. A team in need of bullpen depth could take a flyer on Miller, or offer him an opportunity by way of a minor-league contract.

The Brewers themselves gave up nothing to get him. Essentially, they acquired Miller in exchange for absorbing the contract of injured starter Jordan Montgomery, which they had room to do after dumping Nestor Cortes. Montgomery simply moved from Arizona’s 60-day injured list to the Brewers’. Otherwise, they acquired Miller for pennies on the dollar: cash or a player to be named later.

Milwaukee Brewers secure win 83 with an Isaac Collins walk-off and gritty pitching from Shelby Miller 2 Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Shelby Miller (55) smiles after throwing a strike during the ninth inning of their game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He, too, was injured at the time of the trade, helping to explain his low market value. Maybe the Brewers knew it was a buyer beware situation. His forearm strain in Arizona has been linked to the same issues that caused his season-ending elbow “pop” in Milwaukee. After delivering the fateful pitch, he began shaking his arm immediately and left the game without facing another batter.

Still, the Miller addition was worth a shot. Before hitting the injured list, he showed plenty of juice with the Diamondbacks, posting a 1.98 ERA and 9.9 K/9 rate in 36.1 innings. Post-injury, although effective at times, he never quite found his groove in a Brewers jersey. In nine and two-thirds, Miller struck out 14 but allowed six earned runs and a pair of homers.

Milwaukee Brewers: 2 relievers become deadline casualties to make room for new additions 1 Jun 30, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Shelby Miller (18) throws in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

A starter turned reliever, Miller is 51-69 lifetime with a 4.04 ERA in 921.2 IP. Of his 13 career saves, 10 came this season in Arizona.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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