Owen

Miller

Miller played in just one game for the Cubs this season and had no plate appearances. He did hit .295/.345/.443 with seven home runs and 12 steals in 113 Triple-A games and will get a camp invite somewhere.

Miller earns a ticket back to the minors after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 29-year-old journeyman was removed from Chicago’s 40-man roster last week after appearing in just one game.

The Cubs needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the return of Daniel Palencia on Friday and unfortunately for Miller he was the odd man out. It’s possible that the 29-year-old infielder could attract interest on waivers.

Miller figures to be part of Chicago’s plan to replace shortstop Dansby Swanson although he’s unlikely to spend any actual time at that spot. He’s more of a bench option and part-time second base fill-in. He got into nine games for the Rockies last year before signing a minor league pact with the Cubs prior to spring training.

The 29-year-old is a .238/.287/.342 hitter with 15 homers and a 21.3 percent strikeout rate in 1,032 MLB plate appearances, but he can play a few positions around the infield and has been a solid minor league hitter over his career. He could provide infield depth at a few spots if he wins a minor league job.

Miller opted for free agency after being outright by the Rockies last week, but he’s rejoining the club’s Triple-A affiliate now. That’s where he opened the season before he was called up in late April. He went 2-for-14 in nine games for the Rockies before being DFA’d.

Miller went 2-for-14 with an RBI and one steal during a nine-game stint with the Rockies before being jettisoned from the club’s 40-man roster last Friday. The 28-year-old infielder will remain at Triple-A Albuquerque as emergency organizational depth.

Miller, like most hitters on the Rockies this season, struggled mightily in the chances that he was given — slashing a miserable .143/.294/.143 with zero homers, one RBI and a 4/2 K/BB ratio in 17 plate appearances. He’ll likely pass through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as extra infield depth for the Rockies.

Miller, 28, will add some depth and versatility to a depleted Rockies’ infield. Through his first 22 games at Triple-A Albuquerque, Miller was hitting .244/.322/.372 with two homers, 13 RBI and a pair of stolen bases. Thairo Estrada was transferred to the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move to free up a spot on the team’s 40-man roster.

The Rockies continue to make completely baffling roster decisions. Their latest masterpiece involves the combination of jettisoning Nolan Jones to Cleveland at the absolute nadir of his trade value before shipping one of their top prospects in Veen to Triple-A instead of letting him play everyday in the majors. It’ll be Jordan Beck opening the year in right field with journeyman Nick Martini in left field. You can’t make this stuff up, seriously.