Injury concern: D-Backs pitcher Shelby Miller leaves Sunday’s game with forearm tightness.
D-Backs right-hander to get MRI after experiencing forearm tightness, but doesn’t fear worst just yet
The Diamondbacks clubhouse was quiet Sunday afternoon, in stark contrast to the night before when Arizona was celebrating another offensive explosion and another victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It wasn’t the 6-2 loss that turned the mood somber, though. It was the sudden uncertainty about the health of starter Shelby Miller, who left the game in the fifth inning with right forearm stiffness.
Miller said he didn’t think it was anything serious. Manager Torey Lovullo said he was optimistic. But both men knew the potential implications: Forearm stiffness for major league pitchers often can be a precursor to Tommy John surgery.
“I don’t think it’s that big of an issue,” said Miller, who will have an MRI on Monday. “More so one of those things that flare up when you’re out there. Physically I don’t think there’s any damage done at all. I feel like I’ll probably feel better tomorrow.”
Miller admitted, however, that he has never expe rienced forearm tightness before. And Lovullo’s muted tone was a clear indication the Diamondbacks are worried about the prognosis.
“These are tough things for me to address,” Lovullo said.
Miller was impressive through four innings, limiting the Dodgers to three hits. He doused a Los Angeles threat in the top of the third when he struck out Adrian Gonzalez on three straight fastballs, the last topping out at 96.5 mph.
But when Miller came out for the fifth inning, he was a different pitcher. He walked pitcher Brandon McCarthy on five pitches and then gave up another walk to lead-off hitter Joc Pederson. Pitching coach Mike Butcher visited the mound during the Pederson at-bat but Miller was left in the
game. Los Angeles shortstop Corey Seager then hit an RBI double and after Miller threw one pitch to Justin Turner, Lovullo and head trainer Ken Crenshaw walked to the mound.
Lovullo said he got a “signal” from catcher Chris Iannetta that something potentially was wrong with Miller.
“You hate to take somebody off the mound like that but I just didn’t like a couple of things that I heard,” Lovullo said. “It just jumped up on him in the fifth inning. He felt the forearm tightening at that point in time and that was enough for me.”
Miller said that the injury contributed to his command problems in the inning.
“I didn’t feel like I could throw the pitches where I wanted them,” he said. “I didn’t have a good feel for it. … That’s why I yanked some fastballs.”
Although Miller doesn’t think the tightness is anything serious, he agreed with Lovullo’s decision to go to reliever Randall Delgado, saying, “It was the safest best to get me out of there at that point in the game.”
Even assuming the best-case scenario, it’s unlikely Miller will make his next scheduled start Friday against Colorado. The Diamondbacks could tab Archie Bradley to start in his place. Bradley has been brilliant as a reliever this season, with a 0.79 ERA over five appearances and 12 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings.
Later on Sunday, however, Lovullo wasn’t ready to talk about any of that. His focus – and concern – was on Miller.
“It’s really unfortunate,” Lovullo said. “Shelby has been throwing the ball extremely well. You just hate to have a situation like this pop up.”