The Cincinnati Reds placed their ace pitcher, Hunter Greene, on the 15-day injured list due to a right groin strain. In response, they signed veteran left-hander Wade Miley to a one-year contract.
Miley, a 38-year-old veteran, underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in May 2024.
During his tenure in the major leagues, he will receive a $2.5 million salary, while in the minors, he will receive $300,000. Additionally, he will receive a $15,000 performance bonus for each inning pitched from one through 100.
Initially, Miley signed a minor league contract with the Reds on February 4, which included an opt-out clause if he failed to reach the major leagues by June 1.
However, he exercised this clause on Sunday but remained in Cincinnati while pursuing potential deals with other clubs. Despite this, he maintained communication with the Reds.
During his time in Cincinnati, Miley prioritized spending time with his family, including attending Little League games. He expressed gratitude for the Reds organization’s handling of the situation and their continuous contact throughout the process. Miley also expressed his health and excitement to return to the team and resume his work.
Miley joins the Reds’ rotation as the third left-hander, alongside Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott. In the 2020-21 season, he made 34 appearances, including 32 starts, with a record of 12-10 and a 3.55 ERA. Notably, he pitched the 17th no-hitter in Reds franchise history on May 7, 2021, at Cleveland.
Miley, a seasoned pitcher, has amassed 108 victories across eight different teams during his 14-season career. Manager Terry Francona expressed his gratitude for Miley’s veteran presence, acknowledging its positive impact on the Reds’ young rotation.
Francona revealed that he and Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krallo had engaged in multiple discussions regarding Miley’s potential. He emphasized Miley’s appreciation for Krallo’s honesty and their initial plan to have him in the bullpen. However, the situation transpired more rapidly than anticipated.
Miley will be available for Wednesday’s series finale against the Brewers from the bullpen. If he remains unused, he will pitch the first game of the upcoming Cleveland series before transitioning into the rotation.
Francona expressed his excitement about Miley’s arrival, describing him as a welcome addition and a beacon of hope for the team. He highlighted Miley’s competitive spirit and his ability to deliver exceptional pitching.
This setback represents another setback for Greene, who has been sidelined since a 15-day stint on the injured list last month due to a groin strain he sustained during a start in Atlanta on May 7.
In Tuesday night’s 4-2 victory over the Brewers, Greene threw 85 pitches before leaving the game after five innings due to discomfort in his groin. An MRI was scheduled for Wednesday morning, but Francona stated that they had made a decision without awaiting the results.
Francona explained that they had discussed the matter with Greene and his trainers, and the decision to remove him from the game was relatively straightforward. He emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring Greene’s recovery and return to the mound.
Greene, who made his inaugural All-Star appearance last season, has a record of 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA in 11 starts this year.
