Erik

Miller

Erik Miller and Caleb Kilian combined to turn a five-run lead into a two-run lead in the eighth, setting up the save chance for Gage in the ninth. Gage wound up retiring all three batters he faced for an easy save in a two-run game. Kilian, Miller and Keaton Winn are probably all still ahead of him in line for saves in San Francisco.

Miller returns after missing just the minimum 15 days while dealing with a lower back strain. The 28-year-old should be a mid-to-late inning option for the Giants now that he’s healthy enough to operate in said role.

Miller was just placed on the injured list on Monday with a lower back strain, but he is already throwing and will be out on a rehab assignment quickly. He should return to the Giants when first eligible next week, which may put a little bit of a damper on the excitement about Caleb Kilian in fantasy leagues. Those two could share saves as part of a committee in San Francisco.

Miller hits the shelf after recording a pair of saves to go along with a strong 3.18 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 17/6 K/BB ratio across 11 1/3 innings this season. The 28-year-old southpaw doesn’t figure to miss a ton of time, but back issues can be complicated, and often recurring, matters to deal with.

Miller got the final four outs to procure his second save of the season. He picked up a strikeout while throwing 7-of-12 pitches for strikes, and he didn’t allow a hit or walk. It’s feasible that Miller will see more save chances down the road, but there are zero guarantees with this Giants’ bullpen right now.

He did not pitch a scoreless ninth inning -- that was, for some reason, Erik Miller’s road to hoe. Walker has not started a ninth inning in a single game this month, and this feels very much like a closer-by-committee while Walker is used as a true fireman. It’s a disappointing result so far for fantasy managers, as Walker has allowed just three earned runs in seven innings and has only one save to show for it. Walker-reliant managers with clearer save options on the waiver wire have to at least consider a move at this point.

Miller will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with elbow inflammation earlier this week. The 27-year-old suffered a setback in his recovery from a mild UCL sprain and there’s no point in rushing him back with only five weeks left in the season.

Miller was working his way back from a mild UCL sprain in his left elbow before being shut down again with renewed discomfort. An MRI didn’t reveal any structural damage, but there might not be enough time for him to make it back to San Francisco with less than six weeks left in the season.

Miller expressed optimism that he’ll make it back to San Francisco’s bullpen in roughly five weeks, but that would be the best-case scenario. The broader concern here is that the 27-year-old lefty could wind up requiring surgery if his elbow doesn’t respond well to the rest and rehabilitation route.

Miller will be out through at least the All-Star break, but there’s a good chance this will require more than just a two-week stint on the shelf. He’ll recover while Scott Alexander takes his spot on the roster.