Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — Bobby Miller’s return to the mound for the Dodgers on Wednesday night was a mixed bag. In his first big league start since coming off the injured list, Miller showed flashes of his dominant stuff but was ultimately hit hard by the Colorado Rockies, giving up six runs in just three innings. Still, the Dodgers offense picked him up, putting up runs early and holding on for an 8–7 win at Chavez Ravine.
After the game, Miller was candid about the outing, admitting that he didn’t have his full arsenal working.
“I was kind of just working with two pitches tonight,” he said, referring to his fastball and curveball. “Slider and changeup weren’t really in the zone. It made me a little predictable.”
That predictability showed, as Miller found himself frequently behind in counts and unable to keep hitters guessing. Despite generating some swings and misses, he struggled with efficiency, something he knows is key to helping the team long-term.
“When I’m in the zone with all my pitches, I can go deeper into games,” he said. “That keeps the bullpen fresh and puts us in a better position to win.”
Miller noted that the curveball was working well, but without the threat of the slider or changeup, Rockies hitters were able to zero in. One big blow came in the third inning, when a poorly located curve led to a key extra-base hit, a grand slam by first baseman Michael Toglia.
“Thought it was the right pitch, but I just missed my spot,” he said. “If I had the changeup tonight, I probably could’ve gotten out of there quicker.”
Despite the rough outing, Miller stressed that he wasn’t putting extra pressure on himself, even with a crowded Dodgers rotation and competition for starts heating up.
“I know the position I’m in,” he said. “But when I’m on, I can be here for a long time. Just need to fix the problems from tonight.”
What gave him some peace of mind was the offense’s resilience. The Dodgers lineup pounded out eight runs and erased a 6–2 deficit to take the win.
“We’ve got a great lineup—top to bottom,” Miller said. “They’re always going to keep us in games. That gives you confidence as a pitcher.”
Looking ahead, Miller’s focus is on dialing in the off-speed pitches that made him such a force during his 2023 rookie campaign.
“That changeup, especially, is what kept guys off my fastball last year,” he said. “I know when I’ve got that going, I’m a different pitcher.”
As he continues to work his way back into form, Miller knows that outings like Wednesday’s are part of the growth process.
“I’m still young. I’ve got a lot of time left in my career,” he said. “You just learn from these nights, take it on the chin, and keep moving forward.”
For now, the Dodgers will gladly take the win—and hope Miller can soon pair that elite fastball with a full, commanding arsenal once again.
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