Spencer

Miles

After retiring the side in order in the first inning, Miles got knocked around by the White Sox in the second inning. Three straight hits to start the inning, followed by a fielder’s choice by Braden Montgomery that drove in Andrew Benintendi, put the White Sox up 2-0, and a two-run homer by Sam Antonacci a few batters later extended their lead to 5-0. It was only the fourth start of the season for Miles, who got the nod as the opener coming out of the All-Star break, but this was his worst outing of the season regardless of when he entered the game. He’ll likely be moved back to the bullpen rather than start another game next week.

Miles got his first start since May 31 after pitching out of the bullpen over the last month. He went four innings against the Giants, giving up two runs on seven hits and no walks. He struck out one. Miles would depart after the fourth at 55 pitches. The 25-year-old right-hander holds a 2.95 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 56/17 K/BB ratio across 58 innings. He’ll likely revert to a long-relief role following the All-Star break with Max Scherzer nearing a return.

Miles will get his third start of the season after tossing three shutout innings Wednesday against the Metts. The 25-year-old will likely go no more than five innings in the outing, and there would be just as much risk as there is reward in using him as a streamer in that contest.

Miles was very impressive here despite only going three innings on 46 pitches. Both his fastball and sinker sat between 97 and 98 mph and the latter flashed some impressive movement. His curveball flashed too and he was willing to throw it against hitters from both sides of the plate. There was enough here to make us think about adding him in very deep leagues. Otherwise, Patrick Corbin followed him as more of a bulk reliever going five innings, allowing three runs, and earning the save. With a 5.11 ERA, he should not be on our radar.

Schneider told reporters it’ll likely be rookie Spencer Miles getting the ball for a bullpen game in place of Corbin, who was originally scheduled to start Wednesday’s series finale against the Mets. The 36-year-old veteran has pitched to a cromulent 5.09 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 52/24 K/BB ratio across 69 innings over 15 starts this season. His rotation spot will likely go to Max Scherzer (back) once he’s ready to come off the injured list in a few weeks.

Schneider also added that Max Scherzer (forearm) will be activated to start Wednesday’s series finale at the Rogers Centre with Trey Yesavage being pushed back to Friday’s showdown against the Yankees. The influx of veteran reinforcements also pushes rookie standout Spencer Miles back to a long relief role. It’s a stunning turn of events that Toronto has a legitimate five-man rotation again after piecing things together for most of the last two months. Cease threw 75 pitches in his final rehab outing and shouldn’t have any limitations in his return from the injured list.

Miles entered after Braydon Fisher’s scoreless first and allowed just two hits into the sixth inning. He departed with one on and one out in that frame, and Pete Alonso hit a two-run homer off Jeff Hoffman to get Miles charged with a second run. Miles moved to 3-1 with a 3.54 ERA, which is incredible for a Rule 5 pick whose professional experience had consisted of 10 1/3 innings in the Complex League and 4 1/3 innings in Low-A ball coming into the year. He’s probably going back to the bullpen now with the Jays getting veterans back and also having two days off coming up.

Braydon Fisher will take the ball as Toronto’s opener. The big question is what happens to Miles once Dylan Cease (hamstring) and Max Scherzer (forearm) are ready to rejoin Toronto’s rotation in the near future. The 25-year-old has pitched well in a bulk relief role recently, despite getting lit up for six runs by the Orioles last weekend. He’s a reasonable streaming option in deeper mixed leagues based on his season-long numbers, but Baltimore has had success against him and will be seeing him for the second time in less than a week, which amplifies the risk.

Miles also issued three walks on the afternoon while striking out a pair. The O’s scratched out a run against him in the second inning, then really broke the game open with five runs in the third — including a three-run blast off the bat of Colton Cowser. The 25-year-old hurler got just five swings and misses on 70 pitches, posting a CSW of 24 percent. After having considerable success out of the bullpen and behind an opener, it’s interesting that Miles struggled working as a traditional starter in this one. Perhaps he moves back to a bulk role for a rematch against the Orioles in Toronto on Saturday.

Miles gave up three hits, walked one and struck out three. He improved to 2-0 with the win. Miles has allowed one run and has 16 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings over his last four appearances. He’s not going to record strikeouts in bunches while only pitching three or four innings at a time, but he can still be viable in mixed leagues given his good ratios. He’s lined up to face the Orioles on the road on Sunday.