Wade Miley's future as uncertain as Cincinnati Reds' rotation depth after flexor injury
ST. LOUIS – Whether veteran pitcher Wade Miley is done for the season – or his career – the left-hander's latest setback with his surgically repaired elbow has left the Cincinnati Reds staring at their biggest pitching-depth deficit of the year at a critical time on the schedule.
Miley landed on the 15-day injured list Friday just three appearances back from Tommy John surgery after an MRI Thursday revealed a 'little tear' in the flexor tendon near the surgically repaired ligament.
Wade Miley during his last start, in Detroit, where he gave up two earned runs in five innings of a Reds victory.
He's the second Reds pitcher in four days to go on the IL, joining reliever Graham Ashcraft (groin). Opening Day starter Hunter Greene also is on the 15-day IL with a groin injury that's expected to keep him out until next month, and the Reds have three more starters on the 60-day IL (Carson Spiers, Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar).
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In the short term, the Reds pulled right-hander Chase Petty from a scheduled start Thursday for Triple-A Louisville, and he joined the club in St. Louis (on the taxi squad) Friday ahead of a likely start in Miley's place Saturday – pending how the bullpen looks after Friday night's game.
Manager Terry Francona said no decisions have been made how to fill the Miley void after Saturday.
Chase Petty has joined the Reds on the taxi squad and would appear to be one of the options to start in place of Wade Miley on Saturday.
And, yes, top prospect Chase Burns, who has been lights out at three minor-league levels this season, has been part of the wide-ranging discussions.
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'There's a lot to think about when that decision's being made, not just winning one game,' Francona said. 'He's done a great job. There's no denying that at all.'
The Miley news came as a surprise to Miley, who felt more soreness than usual in the days after Sunday's start in Detroit but planned to power through on Saturday until the MRI revealed what the club is calling a 'strain.'
'I decided to get it looked at just for a little peace of mind, thinking I was going to be fine,' said Miley, who was just three appearances back from Tommy John surgery, including a pair of five-inning starts. 'And there's a little tear in there.
'This one sucks, no doubt. I felt like I was getting really close to where I wanted to be.'
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Miley, 38, said he was told the ligament remains sound, and it's possible he might be able to return to the mound this season. But it's not a short-term process, and he talked about the heavy mental lift of another lengthy rehab process after more than a year working back from the elbow surgery.
He said he planned to take some downtime before 'jumping to any decisions right away' but didn't rule out retirement depending on follow-up consultations with the medical staff.
'There's always that thought,' he said. 'I've been able to play this game as long as I have.
'I do love the game. I still love to compete,' he added. 'I love that moment. … Either way it's a win-win. If I come back it's a win. And if this is it, I can't ask for anything more than what I was able to be a part of in this game.'
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For now he'll spend time with his 8-year-old and 16-month-old sons and listen to doctors during the shut-down period required regardless, he said.
'I think he's got a lot of emotions going right now,' Francona said. 'We told him we will support whatever he wants to do, or doesn't want to do.'
For bullpen insurance Friday, the Reds recalled hard-throwing Connor Phillips, who has pitched well lately at Triple-A Louisville after struggling in the minors since a five-start big-league debut in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Wade Miley mulls future, Cincinnati Reds weigh options after injury
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