Brewers face bullpen setback as Miller heads toward Tommy John

Shelby Miller's status points to a likely second Tommy John surgery, reshaping Milwaukee's bullpen and payroll considerations.

Brewers Face Bullpen Setback as Miller Heads Toward Tommy John

Milwaukee placed right-hander Shelby Miller on the 60-day injured list after he told manager Pat Murphy that he felt a pop in his elbow during a recent outing. The team has not ruled out Tommy John surgery, though an internal brace procedure is also possible. Miller, 34, previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017 with the Diamondbacks, and this diagnosis could end his 2025 season. Milwaukee acquired Miller at the trade deadline, taking on the remainder of his contract and about $2 million of the roughly $7 million still owed to injured starter Jordan Montgomery, a move aimed at stabilizing a late-season push. In 9 2/3 innings with Milwaukee, Miller carried a 5.59 ERA, though managers and teammates had noted signs of his prior form before the injury.

Joel Payamps was recalled to take Miller's spot on the 40-man roster. Payamps previously excelled in 2023-24, posting a 2.78 ERA over 129 2/3 innings with strong strikeout and ground-ball rates. He stumbled early in 2025, allowing 17 runs in 18 1/3 innings and being designated for assignment, before turning a corner at Nashville with a 3.04 ERA and two perfect frames in a recent outing. If Payamps can regain his late-2023 to 2024 form, he could anchor Milwaukee’s bullpen down the stretch and possibly into October, even as the team navigates injuries to Trevor Megill, DL Hall, and Grant Anderson.

The injury exposes the fragility of a bullpen built on veteran arms and midseason moves. Milwaukee’s decision to buy Miller, despite health risks, reflects a calculated bet on immediate depth at a time when the margin for error is slim. The Brewers entered the season with a mix of bullpen veterans and younger arms, and Miller’s absence leaves fewer reliable options for high-leverage outings. Payamps offers a path back to leverage role status if he can regain 2023-24 form, but the larger question for Milwaukee is whether the current payroll and cost commitments can be reconciled with a long road to recovery for a pitcher whose return could stretch into 2027.

Ultimately the Miller episode highlights how a team’s in-season equity is tested by health. If Milwaukee can stabilize the bullpen through Payamps and other call-ups, the window remains open for a late-season push; if not, the club may need to pivot to internal options and adjust its short-term budget to absorb the ongoing risk of veteran arms.

Highlights

The road ahead will test Milwaukee’s depth and Miller’s resilience.