Greg

Miller

No damage to Miller’s rotator cuff or labrum has been found during the surgeries, so he should come back at 100 percent after having the tip of his shoulder blade saved.

Miller underwent surgery on his left shoulder 10 days ago, during which a bursa sac and some scar tissue were removed. “It feels awesome,” Miller said. “It was a relief to have it be so minor.”

Only the questions about his health keep Miller from being regarded as one of the three best pitching prospects in the game. He also experienced some minor shoulder problems during his outstanding 2003 season.

The 6-foot-5 lefty has allowed just one earned run in 20 innings since being promoted to Jacksonville earlier this month. He and teammate Edwin Jackson are two of the better pitching prospects in the minors.

Miller had hoped to resume working in games by the end of the month, but that’s not going to happen. “He still has some tendinitis in his bursa sac,” scouting director Logan White told Baseball America. “With him, we’re just taking baby steps at this point and we certainly aren’t rushing anything. He’s a little frustrated by that because he wants to get back out there as soon as possible. But we’ll see how he progresses and go from there.”

“His rehab is slower than originally predicted in spring training,” GM Paul DePodesta said. The Dodgers had hoped Miller would return to the mound in May after undergoing surgery March 19. He has begun a throwing program at Class-A Vero Beach, but given the setbacks and his young age and value to the Dodgers’ future, shutting him down may the best thing in the long run.

Miller is expected to move into the Suns’ rotation soon. He had a 0.93 ERA in 9 2/3 innings for Single-A Vero Beach.

Miller allowed eight runs -- two earned -- and posted a 24/13 K/BB ratio in 22 2/3 innings for Jacksonville. The important thing is that he’s staying healthy as a reliever. He might help out as a middle reliever in the second half of the season.

It was determined the tip of his shoulder blade was shaped in such a way that it was causing inflammation by rubbing up against tissue in the shoulder. Miller should come back from this second surgery fine, but it means he won’t be ready for the start of the minor league season. A timetable for his return will be set after an examination early next month.

Miller allowed one run in one inning in his only previous appearance. The Dodgers are again using their prized left-hander as a reliever, but it’s likely that he’ll return to starting at the beginning of next year. He’ll probably open the season in Double-A.