The Los Angeles Dodgers have managed to put together a successful recruitment effort to form the most fearsome team in Major League Baseball, but they have also had that dose of luck that is necessary to take a team to the next level. They already demonstrated this last season, where they finally won the World Series, their second of the decade
One of these strokes of luck occurred a few days ago, with one of their young prospects on the mound, who suffered a serious accident that, in a split second, almost cost him his career and even put his life in danger. It was 25-year-old Bobby Miller, who was hit by a dangerous 105.5 mph line drive that struck him in the head
However, he will not be available for the team for the next few weeks, joining the injured list alongside the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May and Brusdar Graterol, creating some complications in the rotation for the start of the 2025 MLB season
The chilling accident occurred during the third inning of the Dodgers’ first spring training game on February 20, 2025, at Camelback Ranch, against the Chicago Cubs. Miller threw an 80 mph curveball to Michael Busch, who hit a line drive that went straight at the pitcher, who fell to the ground, clutching his head tightly
Doctors immediately rushed to his aid, but Miller eventually left the field on his own, although he showed a red and black stain on the right front side of his head as he left the game
After the incident, manager Dave Roberts stated that Miller would undergo concussion protocol to determine the severity of the injury. Bobby Miller gave more details of the accident with a message on his X account to reassure the fans:
Thank you to everyone who has reached out. It really means a lot. Scary moment, I’m okay! All praise to the man upstairs. Can’t wait to get back on the mound
Bobby Miller’s tough road to Major League success
This is not the first time Miller has gone through such a situation: after a great rookie season in 2023, where he went 11-4 with a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts, last year he had an injury-plagued and inconsistent season. He started at a great level in his debut against the St. Louis Cardinals
However, inflammation in his right shoulder kept him out of action for two months and when he returned to pitching, he was not at his best and finished the season with an 8.52 ERA in 13 starts
As for the Dodgers’ roster, Clayton Kershaw is still not ready from the foot and knee surgeries he underwent in November 2024 and is expected to be ready by May or June.
While Dustin May suffered a freak injury in 2024 that cost him the entire season: a lettuce leaf caused a severe esophageal tear. Although he is expected to be ready for the start of this season
Finally, Brusdar Graterol is recovering from labrum surgery and it is unknown if he will be ready to participate this season. Freddie Freeman underwent ankle surgery after the end of last season and hopes to join the team soon. He is already taking repetitions with the bat, although he has not yet started running
Finally, Max Muncy served his time on the 60-day disabled list due to his oblique injury last season and Shohei Ohtani is still recovering from shoulder surgery, but is expected to return to pitching this season.
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