MASON MILLER NEWS

Could Miller's electric velo tick up even more out of the 'pen? MESA, Ariz. -- The qualities are there for Mason Miller to one day reign as ace of the staff for the A’s. For at least the 2024 season, thou...

FEBRUARY 16 • MLB.COM

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NOVEMBER 8, 2023

'A good step': Top prospect Miller gets stretched out in relief MINNEAPOLIS -- Looking beyond this rebuilding 2023 campaign, the A’s envision a future with Mason Miller as their bona fide ace. For now, ho...

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • MLB.COM

Works two relief innings Thursday Miller served as a traditional reliever and didn't factor into the decision in the Athletics' loss to the Tigers on Thursday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and a wal...

Impact Miller followed starter Luis Medina into the game and worked the sixth and seventh frames. Despite his final line showing he officially worked just two innings, Miller actually threw 54 pitches as he also came out for the eighth but was pulled after surrendering three consecutive singles to open the inning. Manager Mark Kotsay appears set to give Miller work in a variety of roles other than conventional starter over the last week-plus of the season, as the right-hander has also worked as an opener and could see action as a bulk reliever ahead of an offseason where he'll prepare to re-enter the starting rotation in 2024.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss as opener Miller (0-1) took the loss against the Padres on Saturday, allowing two earned runs on two hits and three walks over one inning. He struck out two.

Impact As his final line implies, Miller's one frame had a bit of everything, and the rookie struggled with his location plenty while firing only 17 of his 33 pitches in for strikes. Miller's ERA rose to 3.42 with the rocky outing, which saw him allow three of the first four hitters he faced to reach base before he somewhat steadied with a pair of strikeouts, although those came around a pair of walks. Miller had posted four scoreless innings with a 6:1 K:BB across his first two appearances after returning from a long stint on the injured list, so Saturday's forgettable appearance may prove to be an outlier. The right-hander is expected to log several more opener assignments, at minimum, before the conclusion of the season.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set to open Saturday's game Miller is listed as the Athletics' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Padres.

Impact The Athletics plan to be cautious with Miller's usage for the rest of 2023 after he recently returned from a UCL sprain in his elbow that kept him on the shelf for most of the season, so he'll likely work anywhere between 1-to-3 innings Saturday before turning the game over to the bullpen. He excelled in his most recent turn as an opener in front of Ken Waldichuk in Monday's win over Houston, striking out three while allowing no runs on one hit and one walk over two innings. Waldichuk is listed as the Athletics' starter for Sunday's series finale with the Padres, so Miller will likely be opening for Luis Medina on Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid performance as opener Miller served as the opener in Monday's win over the Astros and didn't factor into the decision, firing two scoreless innings during which he allowed a hit, issued a walk and recor...

Impact Miller was slated to work up to approximately 50 pitches, and he got within striking distance via his 45 offerings, 30 of which he threw during a laborious opening frame. Nathan Han of the team's official site reports the hard-throwing right-hander averaged 99.5 mph on his fastball and reported his previously ailing arm felt "awesome" following the start. Manager Mark Kotsay confirmed after the game the Athletics plan to continue deploying Miller as an opener for what remains of the season before stretching him out in spring training in anticipation of a return to the starting rotation in 2024.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slated for 50 pitches Miller is expected to throw around 50 pitches or three innings Monday against the Astros, Nathan Han of MLB.com reports.

Impact Miller saw action out of Oakland's bullpen Wednesday against the Blue Jays (no runs allowed and three strikeouts over two innings), and he's now set to move back into a starting role. The A's will unsurprisingly keep a close eye on the young right-hander as the team stretches him back out.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set to start Monday Miller is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Astros, though he'll remain on a pitch count, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Miller made his first big-league appearance since May last Wednesday after being on the shelf with an elbow sprain, and he'll now move back into the rotation. The rookie right-hander threw just 27 pitches in that outing, so his pitch count is likely to be well below that of a typical starter.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Impresses out of the pen Miller threw two perfect innings while striking out three in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Toronto.

Impact Miller looked dominant in his return from a four-month IL stint, striking out three Blue Jays while his fastball topped out at 102 MPH. While Miller's value will be limited pitching out of the pen, he certainly has the stuff to succeed in a high-leverage role. Overall, the rookie right-hander sports a 3.09 ERA with a 0.90 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB across 23.1 innings in the majors this season.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated, but slated for relief Miller (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact Miller is finally back with the Athletics after missing four months of action with a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Manager Mark Kotsay told Eno Sarris of The Athletic on Tuesday that Miller will pitch in the middle of games and will be limited to around fifty pitches. Whether that's as a planned bulk reliever or a more traditional long man isn't clear. It limits Miller's fantasy appeal, although he should be offer solid ratios when he does pitch.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will be activated this week Athletics manager Mark Kotsay confirmed Monday that Miller (elbow) will be activated at some point this week, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Miller made a rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, so the earliest he figures to rejoin the A's rotation would be Friday in Texas following Thursday's off day. The young right-hander threw just 37 pitches over four perfect innings Saturday, so his first start back would be relatively abbreviated. Miller has been out since early May because of a UCL sprain in his right elbow.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sharp in rehab outing Miller (elbow) struck out four over three perfect innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Miller needed only 37 pitches to cruise through his four frames and averaged 98.2 mph with his fastball. The Athletics had indicated that this would probably be Miller's final rehab start, and if it was he certainly passed the test with flying colors. The 25-year-old has been out since early May because of a UCL sprain in his right elbow and his workload with the A's down the stretch could be quite limited. It could leave Miller as a less than desirable fantasy option even as the upside with the young hurler is enticing.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely one more rehab start Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said Wednesday that Miller (elbow) will likely make one more rehab start, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Miller topped 100 mph eight different times while tallying three strikeouts in a scoreless inning Tuesday with Triple-A Las Vegas, but the outing only lasted 29 pitches and the A's want him to build up a bit more on the farm. The 25-year-old has been on the major-league injured list since early May because of a UCL sprain in his right elbow.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Elite velocity in rehab start Miller (elbow) started Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sacramento on Tuesday, firing a scoreless first inning during which he issued two walks and recorded three strikeouts.

Impact Miller's one frame had multiple innings worth of work built in, as he fired 29 pitches overall thanks to some control issues. However, the right-hander was able to navigate trouble successfully by utilizing his velocity, with the Aviators' official Twitter account reporting Miller threw eight pitches at 100 mph+ during the outing. While Miller was originally slated to work up to approximately 50 pitches Tuesday, the fact his velocity is in elite form and he's already logged four rehab appearances makes him a strong candidate to be activated when rosters expand Friday.

AUGUST 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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AUGUST 30, 2023

Next outing set for Tuesday Miller (elbow) will make his next rehab appearance Tuesday for Triple-A Las Vegas, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact This could be Miller's final start in the minors, as the team is considering activating him when rosters expand Sept. 1. The flamethrower is expected to toss 50 pitches or three frames in Tuesday's outing. If all goes according to plan, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Miller rejoin the big club by the end of the week.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

May need only one more rehab outing Miller (elbow), who was able to hit triple digits on the radar gun in his most recent rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas, is expected to be activated if his next outing with the Av...

Impact The right-hander is set for another start with Vegas early in the week, his fourth down on the farm. Assuming all goes off without a hitch, manager Mark Kotsay notes "there could be a plan for him to join this club in September." Kotsay added that he expected Miller to be utilized with a "pitch restriction or inning limit" in such a scenario, with the idea of having the highly promising prospect head into the offseason at full health.

AUGUST 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits triple digits in rehab outing Miller (elbow) threw three scoreless innings while striking out five in a rehab outing with Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

Impact Per MLB Pipeline, Miller hit triple digits seven times across 45 total pitches. He's now worked 6.2 total innings across three rehab appearances, so he's still not particularly close to a full starter's workload. As a result, Miller is likely to make a few more rehab appearances, but he should have the opportunity to make a handful of starts at the big-league level prior to the close of the campaign barring any setbacks in his recovery.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab moves to Triple-A Miller (elbow) shifted his rehab assignment Thursday to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Impact Miller is moving along in the Athletics' minor-league system as he completes his recovery from the mild UCL sprain that sent him to the injured list back in May. He allowed two earned runs while striking out four batters across 3.2 innings (two starts) with Single-A Stockton, topping out at 32 pitches Sunday. The 25-year-old has some more work to do on the farm if he's going to return to Oakland in a full-on starting role, but early September seems like a reasonable target.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes second appearance at Single-A Miller (elbow) surrendered two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings Sunday in his second rehab start with Single-A Stockton.

Impact Miller tossed three more pitches (32) than he did in his first rehab appearance with Stockton on Wednesday, but he recorded one fewer out Sunday while putting four runners on base in the abbreviated start. The Athletics could look to have Miller work on four or five days' rest in his next rehab outing and he aims to get stretched back out for starting duty after having been shelved since May 11 with a sprained right elbow. An early September return from the 60-day injured list still looks to be realistic for the 24-year-old right-hander.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goes two innings in rehab start Miller (elbow) struck out two and gave up no hits and one walk over two scoreless innings in a rehab start Wednesday with Single-A Stockton.

Impact Miller tossed 16 of his 29 pitches for strikes in what was his first outing at any level since May 7. Though the Athletics have little to play for with six weeks remaining on the season, Miller still appears likely to build back up for a starting role before returning from the 60-day injured list and rejoining the big-league rotation. He'll presumably need two or three more rehab starts to get fully stretched out, making early September a logical target for his activation.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for rehab assignment Miller (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment this week with Single-A Stockton, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Miller threw a couple bullpen sessions in recent days, and he was given the green light to resume pitching in games. The A's will undoubtedly take the cautious route with one of their top prospects, so it could still be several weeks before he is cleared to rejoin Oakland's rotation.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another live BP on tap Miller (elbow) will throw another live batting practice Saturday at the Athletics' complex in Arizona, the Associated Press reports.

Impact The right-hander was able to get through a live 15-pitch BP session Tuesday without issue, and he'll now repeat the process with what could be an increased pitch count. The Athletics have maintained they remain optimistic about a 2023 return for the promising rookie, and another successful session Saturday could potentially tee up a rehab assignment.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Feels good after live BP Miller (elbow) came away from throwing live batting practice earlier in the week feeling good, and the Athletics are currently assessing the next step in his rehabilitation, the te...

Impact Miller threw 15 pitches overall Tuesday in his first time facing hitters since May 8. The fact the right-hander was able to recover well from that activity level is the latest positive step in a recovery process that's largely been without setbacks since early July, and the Athletics remain hopeful that Miller, who showed plenty of promise while pitching to a 3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 9.3 K/9 across his first four big-league starts, will pitch again in the majors this season.

AUGUST 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE