Miley exits after 4 IP with mild back strain

September 18th, 2016

BALTIMORE -- After retiring the first nine batters of the game and working out of a jam in the fourth inning of Sunday's 2-1 win over the Rays, Orioles lefty came out to pitch in the fifth but never got past his warmup throws.
Manager Buck Showalter and trainer Richie Bancells came out to the mound during his warmups and removed him from the game due to a mild muscle strain in his back. Miley said he was hurt when he slipped on a pitch in the fourth inning.
"I kind of lost my balance," Miley said. "I felt something grab in my shoulder blade area. It kind of stayed there and didn't go away, and in between innings, it kind of got a little worse. I felt it a little bit. I didn't think it was smart to stay out there and try to deal with it."
Showalter said the team expects to know a lot more about the extent of the injury Monday.
"I'm hoping that he comes in tomorrow and feels good and is an option for us," Showalter said.
The 29-year-old Miley said he'd never felt anything like it before, which is another reason why he decided to exercise caution. Miley entered the outing with an 8.41 ERA with Baltimore but allowed just one hit and one walk in four scoreless frames.

"I thought I had some command on the fastball," Miley said. "My game plan going in was to be able to execute. It's just one of those things, I guess."
, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list before the game, came on in relief to begin the fifth. The Orioles' typical setup man was pitching in his first game since Aug. 11.
O'Day allowed a homer to on his first pitch, but it was the only run the bullpen would allow in relief of Miley.
"I had an idea I was going to get in maybe earlier than usual," O'Day said. "I didn't anticipate it would be that early. I hope Wade is OK. He went out there and pitched four good innings for us, so hopefully he's fine."