Cubs place Hoby Milner on IL with appendicitis

Brown, who stranded the bases loaded after coming in with none out in the eighth, was robbed in broad daylight. Even though Brown had thrown just 11 pitches to get five outs, the Cubs brought in Milner to face Gavin Sheets with the bases empty. They had to know the Padres would counter, but since Milner wound up striking out pinch-hitter Ramón Laureano to end the game, it all worked out for Craig Counsell. Brown is still looking for his first save, and with Daniel Palencia close to returning, it might not materialize any time soon.

Milner heads to the Windy City after spending the previous season with the Rangers where he posted a strong 3.84 ERA — 3.39 FIP — and 58/21 K/BB ratio across 70 1/3 innings over 73 appearances. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw has experienced a noticeable decline in both fastball velocity and strikeout percentage last year, but he should remain an effective middle relief option for Chicago on a short-term pact.

It’s a one-year, $3.75 million deal, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. Milner gets little respect, but his left arm has produced a 3.55 ERA and a 245/63 K/BB in 264 innings the last four years. That his velocity and strikeout rate both declined at age 34 last season is definitely a little worrisome, but as a one-year deal, it should work out fine.

Still no word on the contract details, but the 33-year-old left-hander had been projected to earn around $2.5 million via arbitration before he was non-tendered by the Brewers. While he had a bit of a down season in 2024, Milner has established himself as one of the stronger left-handed relievers in all of baseball and he should be a welcomed addition to the Rangers’ bullpen.

No word yet on the financial terms of the deal, but Milner had been expected to earn around $2.5 million via arbitration before he was non-tendered by the Brewers in November. The 33-year-old southpaw had a down season in 2024, registering a 4.73 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 64/14 K/BB ratio across 64 2/3 innings. He adds a strong weapon from the left side to the Rangers’ bullpen.

From a FIP standpoint, Milner has been baseball’s most consistent reliever the last three years; he’s pitched 64-65 innings, struck out 59-64, walked 13-15 and given up 5-6 homers every season. Unfortunately, the ERAs haven’t been so consistent; he went from 3.76 in 2022 to 1.82 in 2023 to 4.73 last season. He still seemed to be worth keeping around at $2.5 million or so, but the Brewers disagreed.

Milner returns after missing just over three weeks recovering from a shoulder impingement. The 33-year-old lefty has been excellent the last two years for Milwaukee, but has struggled a bit this year to a serviceable 4.92 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 52/14 K/BB ratio across 53 innings (51 appearances, one start).

Milner is going to be out of action for at least two weeks while recovering from his shoulder trouble. The injury designation does clear a spot for DL Hall (knee, forearm) who will return from the 60-day injured list to make the start Sunday against the Reds. Milner likely won’t return to the Brewers until September, but there’s no timetable available just yet.

Milner was tasked with toeing the rubber as an “opener” on Tuesday against the Rangers. The veteran lefty ran into trouble in the first inning, allowing a double to Corey Seager, which was followed by an RBI single by Josh Smith, and was pulled after pitching a scoreless second. It was the first time all season that Milner went two or more innings, as Tuesday marked his first start of the season and his career. We wouldn’t expect him to draw another start any time soon.

This is pretty cool. Milner will make his first career start, technically, on Tuesday night after 269 relief appearances in the big leagues since 2017. It’ll be Bryse Wilson following him for a bulk relief outing afterwards.