Miller set to be activated from DL, join D-backs rotation

PITTSBURGH --Shelby Miller is scheduled to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation Monday, 14 months after the right-hander underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery.

Miller will face the Marlins in Miami. He rejoined the NL West-leading Diamondbacks before their game Thursday night against the Pirates after making four rehab starts in the minor leagues.

"I'm pretty excited but I'm assuming the first (start) back won't be perfect," Miller said. "There are going to be times where I'm going to have to bear down and get through some stuff. I've talked to people (who have had the surgery) and they say command is the last thing to come back."

The 27-year-old Miller pitched a combined 19 1/3 innings in his rehab starts, two with Double-A Jackson and two with Single-A Visalia. He allowed 10 runs and 20 hits while striking out 28 and walking six.

A 15-game winner in 2013 with the St. Louis Cardinals and an All-Star in 2015 with the Atlanta Braves, Miller was injured in his fourth start last season. He has a 5-14 record and 5.78 ERA in 24 starts since the Diamondbacks acquired him from the Braves in a trade prior to the 2016 season.

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"I definitely have some thing to prove over here," Miller said.

Miller will take the rotation spot of rookie right-hander Matt Koch, who was optioned to Triple-A Reno. Koch was 5-4 with a 4.40 ERA in 13 games, including 12 stats.

Right-handed reliever Jake Barrett was recalled from Reno. He has appeared in three games for the Diamondbacks this season.