Cubs Could Get Key Bullpen Arm Back In September
Cubs veteran reliever is aiming to return from elbow surgery and deliver his signature swing-and-miss stuff for a late-season surge.
Video Transcript
What is up, Cubs fans, and welcome back to Cubs Roundtable.
I'm Joey Polizzi, talking about all things Cubs.
And the Cubs could use all the bullpen help they can get later in the season.
Obviously, the Cubs are dealing with a handful of injuries to their bullpen right now.
Pitchers like Daniel Palencia, Hobie Milner, Riley Martin, Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey.
These type of pitchers are all on the injured list right now.
Well, we haven't even mentioned Shelby Miller, and it looks like Miller is trying his hardest to contribute to the Cubs bullpen this season.
Miller signed a two-year, $2.5 million deal in February, and the expectation was that Miller was going to be out for the entire 2026 season.
That's why the Cubs gave him a two-year deal, because he wasn't going to pitch this year after undergoing elbow surgery last season in October.
Well, it looks like Miller has a chance to return this season, as Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reported that Miller is going through his throwing progression and is hoping to contribute to the Cubs bullpen this season.
Obviously, that would be a big boost for the Cubs bullpen, and the Cubs can use everything they can get for later in the season as they fight for a playoff spot and potentially a deep postseason run.
Miller was great last year with the Diamondbacks, had a great strikeout rate, great whip, whiff rate, great chase rate, and kind of struggled a bit with the Brewers, but overall, a successful 2025 season for Miller.
And then back in 2023, he was also dominant with the Dodgers.
So if the Cubs can get that version of Miller back later in the season and down the stretch, that would be a big boost to their bullpen.
But let me know what you guys think about Miller.
Do you think it's possible for him to return?
He only got elbow surgery just 10 months ago.
Can he turn it around and potentially return in September and October?
Let me know down below.
And as always, guys, go Cubs, go.
