Frequently Asked Questions
When did Shelby Miller have Tommy John surgery and when is he expected to return?
Miller had Tommy John surgery last October after being shut down in early September 2025. Although he was originally expected to sit out all of 2026 and return in 2027, he has already made a Triple-A rehab appearance and is targeting a potential return to the Cubs bullpen in 2026.
How did Shelby Miller pitch in his Triple-A rehab appearance with the Iowa Cubs?
Miller threw one inning for the Iowa Cubs, tossing 14 pitches with 11 of them going for strikes. It was his first official game action since September 1, 2025.
What kind of contract did Shelby Miller sign with the Chicago Cubs?
Miller signed a two-year deal that guarantees him $2.5 million, with a $1 million salary in 2026 and $1.25 million in 2027. The contract also includes a $2.5 million club option for 2028 and incentives that could push his total earnings to $7.25 million over three years.
How good was Shelby Miller before his Tommy John surgery in 2025?
Miller was one of the best bullpen arms in baseball during the 2025 season, posting a 2.47 ERA with a 29.0 strikeout percentage across 46 innings split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers.
Is this Shelby Miller's first Tommy John surgery?
No, this is Miller's second Tommy John surgery. He first underwent the procedure in 2017 when he was a starting pitcher with the Atlanta Braves, which is part of why the Cubs are being extra cautious with his rehab timeline.
Aldo Soto
With a journalism degree from Eastern Illinois University and a decade of Cubs reporting, my work has appeared on 670 The Score, ESPN 1000, and the Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast. I cover Cubs news and analysis for Sports Mockery, including roster moves, game breakdowns, and prospect development.
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