When Will Mason Miller Return From The Injured List? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

Mason Miller made his major league debut on April 19. The Oakland A’s prospect’s promotion came as a surprise to many, considering he has had less than 40 innings of seasoning in the minors since being drafted in 2021. The 25-year-old flamethrower made the most of the opportunity, though, and in his first four starts recorded 22 strikeouts, a 3.38 ERA, and a 0.98 WHIP.

The scant experience under Miller’s belt stems from a rotator cuff strain suffered at the end of spring training in 2022. The injury caused him to miss nearly all of his first season in pro ball. Miller has also never logged more than 100 innings pitched at any level, inviting one to wonder if he has yet developed the durability needed to pitch at the major league level. 

As it so happened, Miller was placed on the injured list in May, before he could make his fifth start for his parent club. Fall is now around the corner and Miller is finally nearing the end of his rehab program. When will the rookie make his return? Let’s check the latest news and figure it out.

• Fantasy baseball injury reports
• Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
• Daily MLB starting lineups for fantasy baseball
• Fantasy baseball BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
• Fantasy baseball PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
• Who should I start? Fantasy baseball player comparisons
• Fantasy baseball closer depth charts, bullpens, saves
• Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard, daily leaderboards

Mason Miller Injury Update

After he went six innings on May 7 at Kansas City, Miller notified trainers about discomfort in his throwing arm. On May 11, Oakland put Miller on the injured list with tightness in his forearm that was later determined to be a mild UCL sprain. It was decided early on that surgery would not be necessary, but Miller would instead have to face a lengthy shutdown so the ligament could heal. 

Miller’s recovery has been slow but steady. With each rehab start, the righty looks closer and closer to activation. In his most recent start for Triple-A Las Vegas, Miller tallied three strikeouts in his opening inning act, but he also walked two batters.

Mason Miller Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Miller is hitting triple-digits again but Oakland is considering keeping Miller down for one more start. Manager Mark Kotsay alluded to a goal of three innings and 50 pitches for his last rehab outing, but Miller needed 29 pitches just to finish his sole inning of that game. Kotsay also said that once he is called up, Miller will continue to be used with that same pitch count and inning use to the end of the season. 

If that is true it means the A’s don’t intend to use Miller as a traditional starter. Such a change would make sense. Giving him shorter appearances via an opener or bulk relief role would reduce the risk of overusing his invaluable arm. 

If Miller actually does get an extra rehab start, the earliest he will be activated is Labor Day. That would get him to Oakland in time for a tough stretch against the Blue Jays, Rangers, Astros, and Padres. Things improve later in September, as the A’s close out the season facing the free-swinging Mariners, Tigers, Twins, and Angels.

More Fantasy Baseball Analysis