Mason Miller Diagnosed with a "Very Mild" UCL Sprain

The A's are optimistic that he'll be able to pitch again this season

Before Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, A's Director of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Brian Schulman, spoke with reporters about the results of the second opinion on Mason Miller's right elbow.

"It showed he has a mild UCL sprain. Very mild. Basically it showed a little bit of inflammation around the ligament, and we're going to follow a conservative plan of care. He will start throwing when he's asymptomatic, and then we're going to build him back up and get him back out here when he's safe."

Mason Miller made his big league debut back on April 19 against the Chicago Cubs, and even though he had only thrown 28.2 innings in his minor league career, expectations were high for the high velocity top prospect. In his third career start against the Seattle Mariners, Miller tossed seven no-hit innings before being lifted at 100 pitches. He made one more start in Kansas City, tossing six innings and giving up two runs. 

It was after that start that he felt some tightness in his right elbow. 

There is no timetable for a return for Miller. As Schulman points out, every player is different with how long recovery takes. He also pointed out that the ligament is very stable and very "robust."

Despite the diagnosis, Schulman is optimistic that Miller will be able to pitch again this year. "Mason is a special case in that he throws with a very, very high velocity. We kind of know that the ligament can only sometimes handle so much. He had a little flare-up, but there are all indications that he will bounce back and be fine."

Miller is still exhibiting some soreness, so when that subsides and he can pass the A's tests on the timeline that it takes the body to heal, then he should be ready to start throwing. 

"All indications point that this will heal well, he'll have a good outcome, and we'll go from there. We're not really concerned with the long-term future at all. We're just gonna get through this little hump in the road and get him back out here when he's safe"