Elephant Rumblings: Miller has triumphant return to big leagues

Happy Thursday, Athletics Nation!

The Athletics finally welcomed star prospect Mason Miller back from the IL yesterday. In his first game back in the big leagues since May the right-hander came out of the bullpen and looked like he never left.

Miller came on in relief of starter JO Sears in the sixth and blew the Toronto batters away. Miller had a perfect 1-2-3 frame in his first inning or work, then he just started showing off by striking out the side in his second and last inning of work, including getting star outfielder George Springer:

The best part about seeing Miller return was watching that fastball of his. It wouldn’t have been out of the realm of possibility if he lost a couple ticks on his heater after such a long layoff. But nope, it’s still there:

Miller ultimately threw only 27 pitches, which is right in line with what he’s been allowed to reach while pitching for Triple-A over the past couple of weeks. It probably helped his already impressive stuff play up in his relief outing. He sure impressed his manager with his couple innings of work today;

And Miller seemed excited to join the team again. There’s a lot of new faces with the club now that weren’t here when Miller first arrived back in May, including Gelof, Soderstrom, and Butler:

While we haven’t heard definitive plans regarding Miller’s role for the rest of the season, it’s fair to assume he won’t be going for multiple innings at a time. The club only allowed him to build up to three innings or 30 pitches maximum during his rehab assignment. Just based off today he’d be a weapon out of the bullpen for Kotsay during the last few weeks we have left here of the 2023 season. Maybe he’ll get a starting assignment soon but don’t expect them to use their prized right-hander for long outings. Either way, the club and A’s fans are glad to have Miller back in the fold.

A’s Coverage:

• Athletics activate Mason Miller off IL, select Easton Lucas from Triple-A
• “Sensational” Miller shows resilience in perfect return
• Miller returns to mound, reminds fans he’s the real deal
• A’s avoid sweep, beat Blue Jays 5-2
• Teacher-led PAC files petition to block public funding for A’s stadium in Vegas
• A’s Las Vegas strip ballpark faces huge funding threat
• Oakland Athletics mid-season community prospect list: No. 15

MLB News & Interest:

• MLB places Julio Urias on administrative leave
• Tigers pitcher Matt Manning done for year (broken foot)
• Andrew McCutchen suffers partial Achilles tear, done for Pirates this year
• Diamondbacks promote top prospect Jordan Lawler
• Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow ties career high with 14 K’s vs Red Sox
• Rangers outfielder Adonis Garcia exits early with knee discomfort
• D-Backs designate Nick Ahmed for assignment
• Kapler to Giants: “Keep getting up”
• Former MLBers feel like kids again playing Bananas
• Today in Baseball History

Best of Twitter:

Some good and bad news down on the farm:

Pretty solid company to be in:

Congrats to the new dad!

Going to be a lot of competition for a slot in the Opening Day rotation: