Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller was given a massive scare on Thursday during his team’s spring training opener when he was struck in the head by a 106mph line drive.
Miller was on the mound in the top of the third inning, pitching to the Cubs’Â Michael Busch when the infielder hit an 80mph pitch straight back at the Dodgers player.
Miller immediately went down holding his head as teammates and Dodgers staff attended to him.
He was able to walk off under his own power.
Miller 25, is entering his third season in the majors after being drafted by the Dodgers in 2020.Â
He started 13 games for LA last season but was sent to the minors in July amid struggles on the mound.
Bobby Miller was left holding his head on the ground after a horrifying moment on Thursday
Miller was checked on by Dodgers teammates and staff and walked off under his own power
Miller returned to the Dodgers’ rotation a month later but continued to give up runs, and ended the season with a 8.52 ERA.
He was ultimately left off the team’s World Series roster as they beat the Yankees to win the championship.Â
Dodgers president Andrew Friedman told reporters last week that the franchise planned on using a five-man rotation to start the season, until Shohei Ohtani can pitch in May and complete a six-man group.
Ohtani has not pitched since August 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Meanwhile, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are also considered locks for the rotation, while veteran right-handers Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May will battle with Miller for the final spot in the rotation.
Landon Knack, who started 12 games last year, is also an option for the rotation.
