PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 9: Bobby Miller #28 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after allowing a solo home run to Bryson Stott #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park on July 9, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) Getty
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 13: Gavin Stone #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on August 13, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Getty
The Los Angeles Dodgers received encouraging news on two injured starting pitchers.
Bobby Miller returned to game action Wednesday, August 5, while Gavin Stone is scheduled to begin a Triple-A rehabilitation assignment Thursday. The developments give Los Angeles two potential September reinforcements as the club navigates an injury-plagued rotation and a six-game losing streak.
Miller opened Oklahoma City's 12-2 victory over the Salt Lake Bees and allowed one run on two hits across two innings. He struck out three, did not issue a walk and threw 47 pitches, including 28 strikes, according to the Comets' official game recap.
It was Miller's first appearance this season and his first game since September 21, 2025. The right-hander has spent all of 2026 on the 60-day injured list with right shoulder soreness.
GettyBobby Miller #28 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after allowing a solo home run to Bryson Stott #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park on July 9, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The result mattered less than Miller getting through the outing healthy. Los Angeles still must build his workload, and needing 47 pitches to record six outs shows he is not ready to step directly into the major league rotation.
Miller surrendered a solo home run to Logan Porter in the second inning but avoided further damage. His three strikeouts and zero walks offered an encouraging starting point after such a long absence.
The Dodgers know how valuable an effective Miller can be. The former first-round pick went 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA as a rookie in 2023 before enduring two uneven seasons. His power arsenal still gives him upside if his shoulder responds and his command remains stable.
MLB.com lists September as a possible return target, meaning Miller will need several more outings before Los Angeles considers activating him.
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GettyGavin Stone #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on August 13, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Stone's scheduled start is the bigger milestone. The 27-year-old has not pitched in a regular-season game since August 31, 2024, after undergoing extensive right shoulder surgery that October and missing the entire 2025 campaign.
He briefly returned during spring training in February, then experienced renewed shoulder soreness following a bullpen session. The Dodgers shut him down before slowly restarting his throwing program.
Beginning a rehab assignment shows Stone has finally cleared those hurdles. According to MLB.com's Dodgers injury tracker , he is set to join Oklahoma City on August 6, although September remains only a possible return window.
Stone emerged as Los Angeles' most durable starter in 2024. He posted an 11-5 record and 3.53 ERA while leading the team with 25 starts and 140 1/3 innings before the shoulder injury ended his season.
Neither pitcher should be viewed as an immediate solution. Miller must increase his efficiency and workload, while Stone must prove his reconstructed shoulder can handle the demands of competition.
But with one pitcher already back on a mound and another scheduled to follow, the Dodgers have received a double boost—and two more options for the season's most important stretch.
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