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Today was supposed to be the date that Wade Miley could request his release from the minor league deal he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers if he wasn’t going to be added to the 25 man roster. Complicating that matter, however, was the groin tear that Miley suffered during his most recent Cactus League outing yesterday against Oakland. Both Miley and the front office expressed a desire to broker a new deal for the southpaw to stay with Milwaukee, and as of this evening that has reportedly been accomplished:
Wade Miley and #Brewers have reached agreement for him to stay with club and rehab groin injury. Once healthy, both sides will have decisions to make.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 23, 2018
In essence, Miley opt out date has been moved back to later date.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 23, 2018
As others have said, the Brewers and Wade Miley have reached an agreement. He did not exercise his out today, and the Brewers will pay his $100K retention bonus to keep him on a Minor League deal while he rehabs his groin injury.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) March 23, 2018
The exact details of the pact - such as when the new opt-out date is - have not yet been reported. But Miley will not be able to throw for at least two weeks and then will have to get back up to speed and throw some rehab innings, so he’s likely to miss at least the first month of the regular season. He lead the league in walks last season while posting a 5.61 ERA in 32 starts for the Orioles, but worked on several adjustments over the offseason and had been throwing the ball well this spring. He signed originally signed with Milwaukee on a minor league in February before the start of camp. After he arrived, Miley worked 20.0 spring innings with a 4.95 ERA, though most of that damage came in a 3.0 inning start against Cincinnati where he allowed 7 earned runs. His overall 21:8 K/BB ratio was much more encouraging however, and reports indicated the 31 year old was up to 94 MPH with his fastball at times.
The Brewers will now be able to delay their decision on Miley for awhile, leaving the final one or two rotation spots down to Junior Guerra, Brent Suter, and Brandon Woodruff.
Statistics courtesy of MLB.com