Bobby Miller making dark horse case for MLB return as Dodgers audition starters

Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack, in their back-to-back spot starts to cover for Blake Snell's absence, put up a combined line of 7 1/3 innings pitched, 12 hits, 13 earned runs, seven walks, and six strikeouts against the Nationals this week. Bringing both up to make up for the (temporary) loss of a two-time Cy Young winner was a difficult task to put on the shoulders of two rookies, but their performances left a lot to be desired, even when you take Snell out of the equation.

Dave Roberts confirmed that Knack, who took Wrobleski's place on the 26-man, would be staying up for at least one more start against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Snell, meanwhile, will start throwing again on Monday after the Dodgers decided that no medical intervention was necessary in his bout of shoulder inflammation. Still, there's no clear timeline to return there yet.

Wrobleski and Knack were the most obvious options for the Dodgers to call on, but there's another dark horse in Triple-A who could factor in here, if Snell remains sidelined and Tony Gonsolin has a prolonged rehab assignment.

Bobby Miller, much like James Outman, is a former young Dodgers star who fell from grace and is stuck in Oklahoma City, but this could be his time to get another crack at the majors.

Bobby Miller's performance in Triple-A so far could be getting him back into the Dodgers' rotation conversation

Miller has pitched 9 2/3 innings in Triple-A as of April 6. His first appearance was a 4 2/3 inning start when he gave up two hits but no runs and struck out four. His second appearance was in long relief behind Evan Phillips, who is also in OKC rehabbing, and was less solid; he went five innings and gave up three runs. Command is clearly still an issue he's working through — he gave up six walks — but he managed to pitch around complete disaster.

Of course, the Dodgers are hopeful that Snell will be able to return after Knack's next start, and that they'll be able to make that roster swap without much fuss. However, if Snell is delayed and Knack can't get his act together against the Rockies, then maybe the Dodgers should consider Miller, who should also get at least one more start between now and then.

Miller's become something of an afterthought since his 8.52 ERA 2024 season, and still hasn't experienced a full return to form (if those six walks are anything to go off of), but the Dodgers have to get a little more clarity on his future somehow, and now could be the time.