The San Diego Padres have signed infielder Brad Miller to a minor-league deal with an invite to big-league spring training. The veteran will be in competition for a bench spot as he looks to bounce back after struggling at the plate in each of the last two seasons. Miller appeared in just 27 games with the Rangers in the 2023 season, hitting .214 with one home run in that time while his campaign was limited due to a hamstring injury. He also struggled across 81 appearances in the 2022 season in which he hit .212 with seven home runs, four stolen bases, and a .590 OPS across 241 trips to the plate. However, Miller hit 20 home runs as recently as the 2021 season. He doesn't carry much fantasy value but he is a solid streaming option when he starts against right-handed pitching.
Texas Rangers designated hitter Brad Miller (oblique) went 0-for-2 while playing first base in a rehab outing for Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday night. Despite the hitless effort, Tuesday marked a positive step for Miller after he injured his right oblique taking swings in the batting cage on June 2, which led to an injured-list stint, retroactive to May 31. Prior to his injury, Miller scuffled to a .208 average with one homer and a .637 OPS across 56 plate appearances on the season. The lefty-swinging Miller usually makes for a solid streaming/DFS option against right-handed pitching but owns a .635 OPS against right-handers this season.
Texas Rangers outfielder Brad Miller will sit on Sunday against Philadelphia Phillies left-handed starter Bailey Falter. Miller was the DH and was the No. 8 hitter in the lineup in the first two games of the season. Those games were against right-handers Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. Miller will likely sit against most lefties this season and doesn't have a strong grip on the DH spot against righties, either. He should only be owned in deepest of leagues or AL-Only
Brad Miller Expected To Play Against Right-Handers
Texas Rangers outfielder Brad Miller, who hits left-handed, is expected to start in either left field or at designated hitter against right-handed pitchers in 2023. Miller dealt with several injuries last year, which likely contributed to his poor performance at the plate. The 33-year-old veteran slashed .212/.270/.320 with a .590 OPS, seven home runs, 32 RBI, 20 runs scored and four stolen bases in 241 plate appearances and 81 games in his first year in Texas. Six of his seven homers came against right-handers, though, and he's hit .243 with 106 of his 122 long balls in his career. Miller should have some usefulness in AL-only leagues if he's playing regularly against righties, but if he struggles early, the Rangers probably won't have a very long leash.
Texas Rangers first baseman Brad Miller remains on the bench on Friday against the Detroit Tigers. It will be Miller's third straight game starting on the bench for the Rangers. The 32-year-old veteran utility man has gone 8-for-33 (.242) with no home runs, three RBI, two runs scored and 11 strikeouts in 14 games this month. He'll take a seat against a left-hander in Tyler Alexander on Friday. In 79 games for Texas in 2022, Miller is slashing .212/.271/.323 with seven home runs, 32 RBI, 20 runs scored and four stolen bases as an option in much deeper fantasy leagues. Mark Mathias will serve as the designated hitter and will bat seventh against Alexander. Mathias has 31 plate appearances with the Rangers and Brewers this year, going 8-for-30 (.267) with two homers and 10 RBI.
Joe Barlow, Brad Miller Starting Rehab Assignments
Texas Rangers reliever Joe Barlow (finger) and infielder Brad Miller (neck) will both go on a minor league rehab assignment this weekend, according to manager Chris Woodward. Barlow was removed from his role as closer in early July and was then placed on the injured list shortly after when a blister popped up on his right index finger. Miller landed on the IL on July 18 with neck stiffness after he hit .207 with seven long balls through 65 games in his first year with Texas. Both players could return to the active roster in early August, but they aren't worth stashing until they prove themselves on the major league field.
Texas Rangers outfielder Brad Miller is leading off and playing left field in Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies with right-hander Chad Kuhl on the mound. Miller rode the bench for each of the team's last two games as a pair of lefties were pitching for the Rangers' opposition. Kuhl will be the third righty that the Rangers have faced this season. Miller also hit leadoff in the other two games in which a righty was on the mound against the team. Miller is off to a hot start to the year as he's gone 4-for-12 with two home runs, five RBI and four runs scored. Fantasy managers in deep daily lock leagues may want to consider rostering Miller as he'll be in a great spot, hitting in front of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, when he's leading off against righties.
Brad Miller Leading Off For Rangers On Opening Day
Texas Rangers outfielder Brad Miller is slotting in as the team's leadoff hitter for Opening Day against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. The 32-year-old inked a contract with the Rangers last month. He spent the 2021 season with the Philadelphia Phillies and slashed .227/.321/.453 with 20 home runs, 49 RBI and 53 runs over 140 games. He'll be hitting in front of fellow newly-acquired Rangers Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, who are slotting in at No. 2 and No. 3 in the batting order, respectively, on Friday. If Miller can hold down the leadoff spot, he could prove to be a strong source of runs in 2022, but we expect the Rangers to play around with their lineup a good amount in the coming weeks as the roster has so many new additions.
Free-agent infielder Brad Miller agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, according to a source. Miller may not have an everyday starting position with the Rangers, but he could a left-handed hitting platoon option at third base with Andy Ibanez in 2022. The 32-year-old isn't going to help any fantasy managers with his average in deeper and AL-only formats, but he still has some pop after hitting 20 long balls in 377 plate appearances over 140 games with the Philadelphia Phillies last year. The nine-year veteran utility infielder is also moving to another hitter-friendly environment and a vastly improved offense, so he could be quite useful in deeper leagues.
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Brad Miller is absent from the lineup for Sunday's game against the New York Mets. Miller's had a solid year at the plate, slashing .230/.323/.467 with 19 HRs, but has done little of that off of lefties as he's put up just a .567 OPS against them. With Rich Hill starting for the Mets, he'll get the day off. J.T. Realmuto shifts over to first, and Andrew Knapp will catch with Miller on the bench. Knapp isn't out there for his hitting, as he owns a .453 OPS across 57 games this season and should be left alone in all leagues.
