Chicago Cubs' Wade Miley, back from IL, exits start with sore left shoulder

ByJesse Rogers ESPN logo
Saturday, June 11, 2022

NEW YORK --Chicago Cubsleft-hander Wade Miley, making his first appearance since May 22, left Friday's start against theNew York Yankeesafter just three innings due to soreness in his left shoulder.

Cubs manager David Ross said Miley's injury would be further examined in Chicago on Monday.

Miley, 35, was activated from the injured list before the game. He had been out since experiencing a left shoulder strain late last month.

"That's some of the stuff he's been dealing with," Ross said. "Felt it on one pitch, tried to push through a little bit."

Said Miley:"It's the same thing I went on the IL for. Maybe I didn't give it enough time, but I felt good. Very frustrating. It's tough."

Miley allowed no runs on three hits and struck out two before being replaced by reliever Daniel Norris to start the fourth. The Yankees won 2-1 in 13 innings.

Miley's return was part of a series of roster moves by the Cubs in advance of Friday's game, including placing righty Marcus Stroman on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation.

The team also activated Yan Gomes (oblique) and Jonathan Villar (mouth) from the injured list while reinstating reliever Chris Martin from the bereavement list.

To make room for the moves, outfielder Clint Frazier was designated for assignment while first baseman Alfonso Rivas and reliever Michael Rucker were optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs were hopeful Frazier could restart his career after injury issues with the Yankees, but the emergence of Christopher Morel combined with an appendectomy set him back. Frazier was hitting .216 with a .356 on-base percentage in just 37 at-bats

"We haven't been able to give him real opportunities to watch him succeed," Cubs manager David Ross said. "It's a roster construction spot. We like Frazier. We'd like to keep him but we don't know if that's a possibility or not.

"He was upset. 'Emotional' would be a good word. I think he likes it here a lot."

Ross was asked if Frazier could have taken at-bats away from Jason Heyward, the 32-year-old veteran who is hitting .217. Heyward is starting Friday night.

"No," Ross said. "J-Hey will get the right-handed [against righties] at-bats."