right-handed Shelby Miller Had elbow surgery last week, according to the club’s injury tracking information on MLB.com. He had surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor tendon and is likely to miss the 2026 season.
This news comes as no surprise. Arm issues are a notable part of his 2025 season. He spent time with the Diamondbacks earlier this year before going on the injured list in July with a forearm strain. He was still in Illinois when the Brewers acquired him at the deadline. Milwaukee certainly realizes this is a risky acquisition, which is why they didn’t include any potential capital in the deal. Instead, they took on $2MM in fees Jordan MontgomeryThe player’s deal is to be named later or cash, meaning Arizona only saves money.
Miller left Illinois in mid-August but suffered a “pop” in his elbow in early September. He was subsequently diagnosed with a UCL sprain and underwent 60 days of IL therapy. He told reporters that Tommy John will likely undergo a second career surgery.
The right-hander is a soon-to-be free agent. With him likely missing all of next season, his market will obviously be affected. In this case, pitchers sometimes receive two-year offers. These agreements allow pitchers to earn some money while they rehab, and teams hope to get a return on their investment in the second season. However, Miller may have trouble finding such an offer. He is now 35, which means he could return in 2027, after his 36th birthday. The record for pitchers coming back from UCL’s second surgery isn’t as good as it was after the first.
He really had a good season. He pitched 46 innings between the Diamondbacks and Brewers, allowing 2.74 runs per nine innings. His 8.1% walk rate is about average, and his 29% strikeout rate is pretty strong. He was a big factor for the Snakes before the exchange, recording 10 saves and eight shutouts. Teams will certainly be interested in him, but his recovery and rehab will determine whether he can return to that level in the future.
One more update Brandon Woodruff in the tracker. He reportedly won’t be on the World Series roster if the Brewers qualify, but he hopes to recover in time to participate in spring training and be ready for the start of the 2026 season.
Woodruff is one of the most interesting free agents this winter. There is a mutual option in his agreement, but neither party has exercised one of those options in more than a decade. They are primarily an accounting measure designed to defer part of the payment into the future.
The right-hander has a stellar record, but health is an issue. He missed all of 2024 due to shoulder surgery. He left Illinois in July and made 12 starts before returning to Illinois in September with a lat strain. In those 12 starts, he went 64 2/3 innings with a 3.20 ERA, a 32.3% strikeout rate, and a 5.4% walk rate. His stellar numbers will certainly be attractive to teams, but he turns 33 in February and has been in poor health since 2022.
Even accounting for age and injury concerns, he should still generate a lot of interest if he’s on track to be healthy again next year. years ago, Justin Verlander He is guaranteed $50MM for two years in his age-39 season after missing the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Carlos Rodon Despite being much younger, he got two years, $44MM guaranteed from the Giants when there were questions about his ability to stay healthy. Sean Bieber Just got a two-year, $2MM deal from the Guardians, though he’s not expected to return until midseason. In all of these deals, there is an opt-out after the first season.
Photos by Michael McLoone, Imagn Images
