The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a two-year, $2.5 million contract with veteran right-handed pitcher Shelby Miller. The deal, which includes incentives for 2027, comes as Miller recovers from major elbow surgery performed in October 2025, meaning he is expected to miss the entirety of the 2026 season.
Miller, 35, underwent surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and flexor tendon after suffering a season-ending injury while pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers on September 1, 2025. This marks the second time in his career that Miller has faced significant elbow issues; he previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017 while with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which sidelined him for much of that year and impacted his performance in subsequent seasons. Despite the setback, the Cubs are betting on Miller’s proven track record as a reliable reliever when healthy, viewing the contract as a low-risk investment for 2027 bullpen support.
Shelby Miller burst onto the MLB scene as a highly touted starting pitcher, drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round (19th overall) of the 2009 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in 2012 and quickly established himself as a rotation staple, posting a 15-9 record with a 3.06 ERA in 31 starts during his breakout 2013 season. Over the early years of his career, Miller was traded multiple times, moving from the Cardinals to the Atlanta Braves in 2014, then to the Diamondbacks in a blockbuster deal before the 2016 season.
However, arm troubles began to plague him, culminating in the 2017 Tommy John procedure. Post-surgery, Miller transitioned from starter to reliever, a move that revitalized his career. Since 2019, he has appeared in relief roles for several teams, including the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs (briefly in 2021), Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and most recently, the Brewers.
In his career spanning 302 games (including 140 starts), Miller holds a 51-69 record with a 4.04 ERA, 789 strikeouts, and a 1.31 WHIP across 921.2 innings pitched. His recent performance has been particularly encouraging. In 2023 with the Dodgers, he went 3-0 with a stellar 1.71 ERA in 36 appearances, striking out 42 batters in 42 innings. The 2025 season saw him split time between the Diamondbacks and Brewers, where he compiled a 3-3 record, a sub-2.00 ERA early on, and even notched 10 saves while serving as a closer at times. Unfortunately, recurring elbow issues—a right forearm strain in July and the eventual UCL sprain in September—limited him to just 48 games overall.
Miller’s injury history is extensive, with multiple stints on the injured list for elbow-related problems, including inflammation, strains, and now two major surgeries. Other setbacks include back issues in 2021 and neck pain in 2023. Despite these challenges, Miller has shown remarkable resilience, bouncing back stronger in relief roles and contributing to contending teams.
This signing represents the Cubs’ second stint with Miller, who pitched in three games for Chicago in 2021, allowing two runs in two innings before being designated for assignment. Now, under manager Craig Counsell, the Cubs are looking to build depth in a bullpen that struggled with consistency in 2025. While Miller won’t contribute on the field in 2026, the team can utilize the time for his rehabilitation at their facilities in Mesa, Arizona, ensuring he’s ready for a potential high-leverage role in 2027.
