Brewers’ Shelby Miller Lands on 60-Day IL with Sprained UCL

The Milwaukee Brewers just took a tough hit to their bullpen. Veteran reliever Shelby Miller landed on the 60-day injured list with a serious elbow injury.

Miller’s already had Tommy John surgery once. Now, he’s staring down the barrel of a second one—a setback that could keep him off a Major League mound until 2027.

This news piles onto an already rough stretch for Milwaukee’s relief corps. They’ve been battling multiple key injuries, even though the team somehow holds the best record in baseball.

Shelby Miller’s Career Setback

The 34-year-old right-hander got hurt during an outing against the Phillies. He said he felt something “pop” in his throwing arm while pitching the eighth inning.

An MRI showed a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. That’s the kind of injury that usually means Tommy John surgery.

Given his history, Miller admitted the chances of needing surgery—and facing a long rehab—are high.

Second Tommy John Surgery Looming

Miller had his first Tommy John surgery back in 2017. A second operation at his age brings a whole new set of challenges.

Recovery from a second procedure can stretch well past 18 months. That’s why Miller expects to miss not just the rest of 2025, but maybe all of 2026 too.

He’s hoping to pitch again by 2027. But if things don’t go right, retirement isn’t off the table.

A Trusted Arm Lost in Milwaukee’s Bullpen

After arriving at the trade deadline from Arizona, Miller quickly won over Brewers manager Pat Murphy. Murphy trusted him in high-leverage spots, and Miller became a steady hand for a team with October dreams.

Murphy praised Miller’s professionalism. He pointed out how fast Miller earned respect in the clubhouse.

Brewers’ Bullpen Woes Continue

Milwaukee just can’t catch a break in the bullpen. They’ve got several key relievers still stuck on the injured list:

• Trevor Megill – All-Star closer, currently sidelined
• DL Hall – Promising lefty, also out
• Grant Anderson – Right-handed reliever, unavailable too

To patch the roster, the Brewers called up right-hander Joel Payamps from Triple-A Nashville. They’re hoping he can help steady things during this crucial stretch.

Performance Before the Injury

Before the injury, Miller’s numbers told two stories. With Arizona, he looked sharp—carrying a 1.98 ERA over 37 games.

But after joining the Brewers, his ERA shot up to 5.59 in just 11 appearances. Maybe that was the first sign his elbow was starting to give out.

Impact on the Brewers’ Season

Even with the bullpen battered, Milwaukee still controls the NL Central. They’re five games up on the Cubs and own the best record in the league.

Their depth and knack for winning close games have carried them, but losing Miller’s experience is going to test their limits.

What’s Next for Shelby Miller?

Miller now faces a long road back. His focus is on rehabbing and deciding if he’ll go through with another surgery.

At this point, a second Tommy John is as much a mental grind as a physical one. Miller’s talked about retirement, but if rehab goes well, he still thinks he can compete with the best.

The Human Side of the Game

Injuries like this really show how fragile a pro athlete’s career can be. We get caught up in stats and playoff chases, but there’s a lot more going on behind the numbers.

Players deal with brutal recoveries and a lot of uncertainty. Miller’s facing all of that now—perseverance and love for the game are what decide if he’ll try to come back after a setback like this.

The Brewers keep moving forward without him. Meanwhile, Shelby Miller faces a totally different fight, off the field, in training rooms and rehab facilities.

His baseball future? It’s honestly up in the air right now.

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Here is the source article for this story: Brewers reliever Shelby Miller goes on 60-day IL with sprained UCL in his right elbow