Sometimes, baseball produces a story so unlikely that it reads like fiction. For the Arizona Diamondbacks, that story is playing out in their 2025 campaign. A seemingly last-minute signing, a player once on top and then seemingly on the decline, has emerged. He is not just filling a roster spot; he’s dramatically changing the team’s outlook. The D-backs are witnessing a baseball resurrection, proving that sometimes the wildest plays — the ones no one expects — lead tothe boldest results.
The Diamondbacks have received nothing short of a spectacular return on their investment from Shelby Miller this season. It started with a Spring Training invitation as a non-roster player. Early advice from the pitching coach, Brian Kaplan, revived his sweeper, and adjusting his splitter grip proved vital. Miller initially posted a 3.38 Cactus League ERA, but improved it to 2.70 and capitalized when injuries derailed the Diamondbacks’ top two options at closer in A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez.
And the result? As of May 18, 2025, he boasts a stellar 3-0 record. His earned run average sits at an exceptional 1.37 across 19 appearances. Miller also secured four saves, maintaining a solid 1.12 WHIP over 19.2 innings.
Manager Torey Lovullo hasn’t minced words about Miller’s impact, even calling him a “savior.” “Without him at the extreme back end of the games, I don’t know if we’d be in the spot we’re in,” Lovullo candidly stated. The skipper emphasized Miller’s crucial role in stabilizing the bullpen. Lovullo also noted the “enormous” growth in Miller’s pitching since his first Arizona stint. He praised Miller’s ability to execute high-level pitches in critical game moments.
Sep 7, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Shelby Miller (50) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
That praise from Lovullo is a testament to Miller’s clutch pitching on the mound. For instance, on May 18th against the Rockies, he secured a save despite loading the bases. Before that, he earned a save against the Giants on May 14th, pitching one inning. His other saves came on May 12 against the Giants and May 6 against the Mets. These recent outings highlight his ability to handle ninth-inning pressure. His underlying metrics, such as a 1.96 FIP, also indicate that his success has been deserved and sustainable, affirming his manager’s confidence in him.
Crucial stability for the D-backs
The present success is a far cry from Miller’s initial stint in Arizona. He arrived in Arizona with a big splash in a trade from Atlanta before the 2016 season. That deal famously sent Dansby Swanson, the 2015 top draft pick, to the Braves. Unfortunately, Miller struggled significantly, posting a 5-18 record over three seasons. His overall ERA ballooned to 6.35 in 28 starts and a handful of relief appearances. Injuries, including the Tommy John surgery in 2018, were also unkind to his effectiveness during that challenging period.
Following his 2018 departure from Arizona, Miller began a challenging journey of reinvention. He signed with the Texas Rangers in 2019 and went 1-3 with an 8.59 ERA in 19 appearances. Around 2021 is when his conversion from starter to reliever began. That season saw him pitch for both the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched in 13 relief games, posting a combined 9.24 ERA. In 2022, he made a brief return to the major leagues with the San Francisco Giants, when he pitched a 6.43 ERA over four games.
But the seeds of his ascent were planted in his stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. Miller made 36 appearances with a 3-0 record and a 1.71 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He also posted his first MLB save that season, and he was pitching as a reliever with a newfound bullpen dominance. He then pitched for the Detroit Tigers in 2024, making 51 appearances. This period of dedicated relief work, including 12 saves in Triple-A during 2022, evidently reshaped him into the closer Arizona desperately needed.
Shelby Miller’s return to the Diamondbacks is quite a redemption story. His rise from his past struggles to his current 1.37 ERA as a closer is truly remarkable. His return, fueled by an improved splitter and an average 94.5 MPH fastball, has been crucial. The D-backs, 25-22 overall and in fourth place in the NL West, have a potent offense. They are 7th in the major leagues in batting average (.255) and 3rd in OPS (.785). However, their team ERA (4.70, 24th) needs improvement. Miller’s bullpen stability is thus crucial as Arizona fights for a playoff spot. What a comeback story!
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