RHP Miller to start Monday for D-backs, 14 months after elbow surgery

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Shelby Miller was activated from the disabled list to start Monday against the Miami Marlins after missing over a year rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery.

Miller, 27, rejoined his D-backs teammates last Thursday before Arizona's game against the Pirates and was activated from the 60-day disabled list on Monday.

After four starts in a rehab stint at Class-A Visalia and Double-A Jackson, Miller is slated to make his season debut and first start since April 23, 2017 against the Miami Marlins.

"I'm pretty excited but I'm assuming the first (start) back won't be perfect," Miller said. "There are going to be times where I'm going to have to bear down and get through some stuff. I've talked to people (who have had the surgery) and they say command is the last thing to come back."

In a combined 19 1/3 innings for Visalia and Jackson, Miller went 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA. He struck out 28 and walked six.

The six-year veteran went 2-2 with a 4.09 ERA in four starts last season before sustaining a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow. Miller underwent season-ending surgery on May 10.

Miller is in his third season with the Diamondbacks. He went 3-12 with a 6.15 ERA in 20 starts in 2016.

"I definitely have something to prove over here," Miller said of his return to the D-backs.

Miller first reached the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 and was a 15-game winner in 2013. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves after the 2014 season and made the 2015 National League All-Star team despite finishing the season with a 6-17 record -- the losses were most in the majors -- and a 3.02 ERA.

Miller has a career mark of 37-49 with a 3.67 ERA in 126 career appearances (120 starts).

--Field Level Media