Cleveland Indians: Andrew Miller’s injury a devastating blow

The Cleveland Indians announced Saturday afternoon that Andrew Miller was placed on the 10 day disabled list with knee inflammation.

The Cleveland Indians have angered the baseball gods. Whatever they did, they really messed up, and the baseball gods have sent down two plagues upon this roster. The first plague is one of a terrible bullpen. The second plague is the injury bug that has bitten the outfield and has worked its way to Andrew Miller.

Just when everyone was saying this bullpen couldn’t get worse, one of the few good pitchers in that bullpen gets placed on the DL, for the second time this season.

That last bit about no timetable for a return is what’s really concerning. This is not going to be a quick stint of the minimum 10 days. He’ll be out for a while, and no one is sure how long that will be. Could it be three weeks, a month, two months? The Cleveland Indians need answers fast.

A devastating blow

This bullpen has been terrible, but Miller was the lone bright spot for the most part. Since his first injury in late April, the bullpen has been collapsing on a regular basis. When he returned earlier this month, many thought things would get better. But Miller rushed back to help this bullpen, skipping a rehab assignment, and has injured himself even worse.

The knee has been an issue this whole season apparently, and he’s pitched through it, which could explain some of his struggles this year. And now he has to go on the disabled list to get back to 100%, because that’s where the Cleveland Indians need him.

Despite the slow start, the playoffs are still a good possibility because the rest of the AL Central has been terrible as well. But the bullpen can’t continue to blow leads late in games. And Miller was the glue that held the bullpen together.

Who takes his place?

No one can really replace Andrew Miller, but Evan Marshall has been recalled to take the roster spot and Ben Taylor was called up earlier today to replace Oliver Drake, who was designated for assignment after allowing six runs in the ninth inning last night.

Marshall has a 6.75 ERA in four appearances with the Tribe this season.

May the baseball gods have mercy on this bullpen, because this is going to be a struggle, and a long wait until the July trade deadline.

Next: Draft rumors: Tribe targeting outfielders

Andrew Miller is set to be a free agent after this season, and two injuries in his contract year is not good news for him either as it could lessen his earning power this offseason.