Bobby Miller provides positive update after scary moment in Dodgers first spring game

Just two innings into their first spring training game of the year, the Dodgers and Bobby Miller had an incredibly scary moment when former Dodger Michael Busch smacked a hanging curveball right back to the mound at almost 106 MPH. The ball hit Miller in the head, and he went down hard and fast. Trainers (and Max Muncy) were quick to swarm the mound to check on him.

Miller was able to go back to the dugout on his own power, but he was already sporting the beginnings of a nasty bruise on his forehead. Non-roster invitee Justin Jarvis took over on the mound and play resumed, but fans were anxious for any news that Miller was okay after the incident.

He provided an update of his own later that night on social media, and fans were able to exhale a bit, but that was followed by a note from the team.

The Dodgers did provided a little more information: Miller is under concussion protocol and will be watched closely over the next few days, but a timeline to return is unclear. After an incident like that, that's for the best.

Dodgers News: Bobby Miller is in concussion protocol after scary incident

Miller took over in the third after Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Ryan Sublette pitched a scoreless first and second. It makes sense that the Dodgers would want to give him every opportunity to throw in live games after his 8.50+ ERA season last year, as he's very much in the competition for the last rotation spot and battling Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May.

There's been a lot of talk about Miller's potential return to form, especially with reports of his early bond with Blake Snell, who is taking on a mentorship role for him. With all of his struggles last season, it's easy to forget that his first appearance on the mound in 2024 was the best of his career; he pitched six scoreless innings against the Cardinals and struck out a career-high 11 batters.

This is what made his descent through the rest of the season so puzzling. His changeup was still working, but every other pitch in his arsenal was getting hammered. 2023 was his rookie season, so there's still plenty of room to grow, but he'll need every opportunity to pitch in the spring if he has a chance of making the rotation or even the bullpen. Hopefully he'll be in the clear after a few days and will be able to get back into action.