Miller likely to miss season with foot surgery
Red Sox reliever was enjoying fine season in bullpen prior to injury
SEATTLE -- Red Sox manager John Farrell revealed before Monday's game against the Mariners that reliever Andrew Miller will need foot surgery, saying that it was "unlikely" the left-hander would return to the bullpen this season.
Miller left Saturday's game against the Angels with a left foot injury. The loss of Miller further depletes Boston's ailing bullpen. The Red Sox lost closer Joel Hanrahan for the season in May and reliever Franklin Morales is on the DL.
Preliminary X-rays taken on Saturday at a hospital in Anaheim did not show a break in Miller's foot. Miller, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list, flew back to Boston on Sunday night to be examined extensively on Monday by the team's renowned foot specialist, Dr. George Theodore
Prior to his injury, Miller had been enjoying one of his best seasons, now in his second full year as a reliever. The former first-round pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft was a starter with the Tigers, Marlins and Red Sox, This season, the 28-year old has a 2.64 ERA, striking out 48 batters in 30 2/3 innings. As a starter, his best year was in 2008 with the Marlins, when he went 6-10 with a 5.87 ERA.
"From the role change to the change in his delivery, which has allowed him to repeat a release point more consistently, and really to harness well above-average stuff," Farrell said. "There are many examples of lefties coming along at different points in their career, and he was another example of that happening a little bit later than maybe he first anticipated."
Craig Breslow is currently the only left-handed reliever in Boston's bullpen.