It had been four years since right-hander Tyson Miller heard his name called during the 2016 MLB Draft and on Monday, he finally got his first taste of the big leagues.
Miller was recalled from alternate site South Bend to serve as the Cubs 29th man for their doubleheader to start Game 2. The Cubs’ right-handed prospect threw two innings in his first Major League start against the Cardinals on Monday.
“Tyson’s been thrown really well,” manager David Ross said before the game. “He’s got a couple of new toys that he’s developed down there in South Bend as far as pitch mix.”
Miller allowed two runs on one hit over his two innings and walked three batters. While he did struggle with some control during the outing, he only made one mistake in the game. Cardinals designated hitter Brad Miller ambushed Miller on a first-pitch fastball for a two-run homer in the second inning.
The right-hander was the Cubs fourth-round pick in the 2016 and became the first Cub to make his Major League debut in a starting role since Duane Underwood Jr. on June 25, 2018 against the Dodgers. Miller was 7-8 with 4.35 ERA last season while pitching across Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.
Ross’ time with the big league club will be brief, but with more doubleheaders likely in the Cubs’ future and possible injuries, there will likely be opportunities for him to make his mark again soon.
Quintana continues to progress
Left-hander José Quintana threw another four-inning simulated game on Sunday, tossing 61 pitches down at alternate site South Bend. While Ross didn’t say definitively, Quintana will likely throw at least one more sim game before possibly making his return.
“All things seem good,” Ross said. “I think we’ll push him back one more day for that sim game. I’ll walk withTommy today, but we haven’t quite finalized that schedule, but reports were good.
Pitching plans for Wednesday doubleheader unclear
The Cubs starters for Wednesday’s doubleheader are still unknown, but one of those starters could be prospect Adbert Alzolay. Ross said on Monday that Alzolay was in consideration to start Game 2 on Monday, but took a line drive to the right forearm causing a contusion.
Alzolay is still being considered to start one of Wednesday’s games.
“He is an option for Wednesday,” Ross said. “Obviously, the throwing forearm is an important area and so it’s day-to-day thing. Just in with communications with the trainers, but he is still an option for Wednesday.”
