In a frightening start to spring training, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller was struck in the head by a 106-mph line drive during the team's first exhibition game. The incident occurred after Miller delivered an 80-mph breaking ball to Chicago Cubs batter Michael Busch, who promptly sent the pitch rocketing back towards the mound.
The ball deflected off Miller's head and towards first base, resulting in an RBI single for Busch. Teammates and onlookers watched in stunned silence as trainers rushed to Miller's aid. Fortunately, the young pitcher was able to walk off the field under his own power, receiving a reassuring ovation from the crowd.
Miller, a first-round pick by the Dodgers in the 2020 MLB Draft, made his major league debut in 2023. He experienced a solid rookie season, posting a 3.76 ERA across 22 starts. However, his 2024 season proved more challenging, marked by an 8.52 ERA in 13 starts and a stint on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. Thursday's game marked a fresh start for Miller, but this unfortunate incident may temporarily delay his return to the mound.
This incident brings to mind a similar close call last year when Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto miraculously snagged a 105-mph comebacker. Yamamoto, in the first year of a record-breaking $325 million contract, avoided serious injury in that instance.
The Dodgers, fresh off their second World Series title since 2020, bolstered their pitching rotation during the offseason with the additions of Blake Snell, Kirby Yates, and Roki Sasaki.
