The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller to Triple-A after struggling in his outing Wednesday. They recalled right-hander Landon Knack from Triple-A in a corresponding move, as he will handle the bulk of the innings alongside starter Justin Wrobleski in Thursday's game. Miller has only pitched twice for the Dodgers so far this season, as injuries kept him on the sidelines until September.
He came off of the injured list Sept. 5, and appeared in a game the following day against the Washington Nationals. He threw a shaky inning before settling in, allowing one run across three frames while striking out two batters. He went back down to the minors afterwards, but returned to MLB Sept. 14.
Miller handled 2.1 innings on Wednesday after starter Blake Snell went down with a groin injury, though he looked far less confident than in his first appearance of the season. He allowed a solo home run in the fifth inning, and a baserunner he allowed crossed home after he exited the game. He finished Wednesday's game with a line of 2.1 innings pitched with one strikeout while allowing two runs on three hits while hitting two batters.
Miller ranked as the Dodgers' No. 2 prospect during his development in the organization, but injuries and a few rough seasons derailed his promising career. He's just 27 years old, though, and has the ability to bounce back with a healthy season in the future. Knack and Miller fill similar roles, handling bulk innings on bullpen days or when starters have to exit early due to injury.
Seeing as how Miller threw 2.1 innings Wednesday, the Dodgers brought Knack in to fill the role while the former top prospect rests. Knack has three appearances in the big leagues this season, the most recent of which came against the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 12, when he threw 2.2 scoreless innings. He has a 5.87 ERA on the year, but his season is far better than it looks.
Despite struggling with injury until July, the right-hander has put together a strong couple of months between Triple-A and MLB. He made four appearances in August, pitching 17.2 innings across MLB and Triple-A and posting a 2.04 ERA with 13 strikeouts. Through two appearances in September, Knack hasn't allowed a run through 7.2 innings pitched.
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