Dodgers Injured Young Starter Provides Timeline to Start Throwing Again

The Dodgers need Miller back ASAP

Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Upon learning that Bobby Miller would be sidelined with right shoulder inflammation, Dodger Nation let out a collective groan.

The early narrative surrounding baseball has revolved around the pitch clock and a corresponding uptick in injuries to pitchers. Whether there's a true correlation or not, Miller's injury news did not make those who bleed Dodger Blue feel very good.

Clayton Kershaw is still months away from returning. Walker Buehler appears close, though he did suffer a bit of a setback in a most recent rehab start when being hit in the throwing hand by a line drive. Emmet Sheehan has been officially shut down in what manager Dave Roberts is calling a "longer term situation."

With some ambiguity surrounding Miller's future, he assuaged many concerns with this update (courtesy of Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times):

Bobby Miller described his shoulder injury as “nothing too serious” and is hoping to begin throwing again within as little as a week

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) April 14, 2024

Whenever you hear "inflammation" and "shoulder" used in the same sentence — especially when it's the pitching shoulder — anxiety can rightfully set in.

Miller also told reporters that testing revealed no structural damage to Miller's shoulder.

Bobby Miller was relieved there is no structural damage to his right shoulder. He and the team agreed to get ahead of this.

Miller may resume throwing in a week. #Dodgers

— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) April 14, 2024

The Dodgers will surely take their time bringing Miller back into the fold. The team has enough pitching depth and offensive potency to weather the period in which he's sidelined. At 25 years old, he's one of the team's most prized assets, a player with the upside of an All-Star or potential Cy Young Award winner.

Last year as a rookie, Miller went 11-4 with a respectable 3.76 ERA. This year hasn't been as successful, which now makes sense considering the shoulder issue. In three starts this year, Miller is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

With Miller sidelined, look for Ryan Yarbrough to pick up the slack in terms of innings; he threw 2 innings Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. Landon Knack is scheduled to debut Wednesday, while Michael Grove is another right-hander who can chew up innings in the wake of Miller's absence and other injuries to the rotation.