Cubs and right hand Shelby Miller finalized a multi-year, major-league deal, Fanisided’s Robert Murray reports. The Excel Sports client is expected to miss the 2026 season after undergoing UCL and flexor surgery in mid-October. So, it will be a back-loaded two-year plan that allows Miller to reacclimate to the Cubs in 2026 with an eye toward joining their bullpen in 2027.
Miller, 35, has had an unusual career. The 2009 first-round pick was the Cardinals’ top prospect and finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2013. He spent two seasons at St. Louis before being traded to Atlanta Jason Heyward in the 2014-15 offseason. The Braves got 33 starts for Miller in 2015 before trading him to the D-backs in a blockbuster blockbuster trade. Dansby Swanson – just six months removed from being the No. 1 overall pick in the draft – Ender Inciarteand the first round Aaron Blair back in Atlanta. Miller’s time in Arizona was an injury-riddled nightmare; he pitched to a 6.35 ERA in 139 innings over three seasons before being cut.
Miller has toiled around the league for a few seasons without much success — including a two-inning stint with the 2021 Cubs, in which he scored seven runs — but he got the second act of his career with a late inning reliever. Over the past three seasons, he has suited up for four clubs, including a highly successful return trip with the D-backs in 2025. Since Opening Day ’23, he has posted a 3.13 ERA with a solid 25.3% strikeout rate, 8.2% walk rate, 13 saves and 2/3 catches in 17 innings.
Last season, Miller and the D-backs agreed to a one-year deal that produced positive results. He pitched 36 1/3 innings in Arizona and earned a 1.98 earned run average with a 28% strikeout rate. The reunion was cut short by an arm injury, and the Brewers traded Miller at the deadline while he was on the IL for 15 days.
Miller went on to play 11 games with Milwaukee, pitching well in August before making a solo appearance in September. He faced two batters, allowing both to reach base, and called the trainer after hearing what he described as a “pop” in his elbow. Miller later told the Brewers’ website that the internal brace procedure and flexor repair was presented as an option when he was first placed on the injured list with the Diamondbacks. He wanted to keep trying to pitch in that season, knowing he would need surgery eventually and that doing so would mean a full Tommy John procedure, which comes with a much longer rehab window than an internal brace.
The Brewers knew the risk when they traded for Miller, which is why they didn’t send the prospect to Arizona but instead took $2MM of the $22.5MM Arizona was paying the lefty. Jordan Montgomery last year (while Montgomery was working on his own Tommy John technique). Miller finally had Tommy John surgery in October – the second of his career. His first came during an early run against Arizona.
Miller will turn 36 in October, almost one year into his second UCL reconstruction. He’ll have to go on the Cubs’ 40-man roster when the deal is finalized — players won’t be signed and placed directly on the 60-day disabled list — but he’ll go on the 60-day IL as soon as Chicago needs to free up another roster spot. He will be 16 months removed from surgery when the pitchers and catchers report to spring training in 2027 (pending a potential lockout related to the collective bargaining agreement that expires in 2022-26).
