The Chicago Cubs had hoped that their archrival’s former first-round pick would pan out as a reliever.
A former Chicago Cubs player has joined the Detroit Tigers.
Shelby Miller, who spent part of the 2021 season with the Cubs, agreed to terms with the Tigers on a one-year, $3 million contract, the organisation said on Friday.
The Tigers will also have a $4.25 million option on Miller in 2025. To make room on the 40-man roster for Miller, the Tigers designated catcher Donny Sands for assignment.
Miller spent last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, wearing the same number as their newest free-agent signing, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Miller’s stay in Chicago was brief. He signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs in January 2021, and he was promoted to the Majors on April 14.
He pitched three times for the Cubs, giving up seven earned runs and recording only six outs for a 31.50 ERA.
He was placed on the 10-day injured list shortly after for a lower back strain.
On May 9, he pitched the first three innings of a combined no-hitter against Indianapolis while on an injury rehab assignment with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. But that wasn’t enough to keep him with the Cubs.
He joined the Pittsburgh Pirates organisation to finish out the 2021 season after the Cubs designated him for assignment and released him. He spent 2022 with the New York Yankees organisation and the San Francisco Giants, where he was promoted to the Majors late in the season.
Last season with the Dodgers, he collected his first career save and pitched in 36 games with a 3-0 record and 1.71 ERA. He was out for about a month owing to a neck injury.
