Miller (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list by the Cubs on Sunday. Miller inked a two-year, $2.5 million contract with Chicago on Feb. 13, but as expected, he will begin the 2026 campaign on the IL. The 35-year-old is recovering from UCL and flexor tendon surgery that he underwent Oct. 13, and he'll target a return to action in 2027. In a corresponding move, the Cubs claimed infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the Blue Jays on Sunday.
The Cubs signed Miller to a two-year, $2.5 million contract Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. Miller will finish his Tommy John and flexor surgery rehab with the Cubs in 2026 before joining their bullpen in 2027. The right-hander will be 36 at that point, but he was excellent in 2025 between the Diamondbacks and Brewers before getting injured, posting a 2.74 ERA and 54:15 K:BB over 46 frames while notching 10 saves.
Miller is likely to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season after undergoing UCL and flexor tendon surgery Oct. 13, MLB.com reports. Miller had been hopeful of a less invasive procedure that would give him a chance to return before the end of the 2026 campaign, but ultimately he's unlikely to pitch again until 2027. It's the second UCL repair for Miller, who had Tommy John surgery in May 2017. He's an impending free agent after posting a 2.74 ERA and 54:15 K:BB over 46 innings between the Diamondbacks and Brewers this season.