Miller recorded three strikeouts but also allowed an earned run on three hits and hit a batter over one inning of relief in a loss to the Reds on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

As his final line indicates, Miller's 2021 debut had a bit of everything mixed in. The big left-hander threw 25 pitches overall in a busy frame, getting 16 of those offerings into the strike zone. Miller projects for his usual seventh- and eighth-inning role this season after pitching to a 5.79 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 4.2 innings in five spring appearances.

Miller made his Grapefruit League debut in a tie with the Marlins on Monday, getting credited with a hold despite allowing two earned runs on two walks and a wild pitch while also recording a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Miller also conceded a stolen base, while one of the two runs he allowed came on a sacrifice fly. Despite the ugly line, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports the combination of Miller's well-established track record and the fact that his actual performance looked better than the final numbers left manager Mike Shildt satisfied with the veteran lefty's first Grapefruit League appearance. "Ball was going out pretty well, some good sliders, some close misses," Shildt said. "It was a good box to check, get him out there and get his feet in the dirt."

Miller faced live hitters for the first time this spring Monday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander arrived in spring training a few days later than the majority of the Cardinals' pitchers, and he's therefore in the process of getting up to speed. Miller reported feeling pleased with his first encounter against live bats as he begins the ramp-up process for another season of a likely heavy eighth-inning workload with some ninth-inning opportunities potentially sprinkled in.

Miller arrived at spring training over the weekend, a few days behind other pitchers, due to personal reasons, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw will be given time to work into his routine now that he's on site, with manager Mike Shildt noting there's essentially no concern about Miller getting up to speed, given his veteran status. Miller is coming off his best season since 2017, having forged a 2.77 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 13 innings over 16 appearances in 2020, adding four saves in five chances and a pair of holds. He should eventually settle into his usual eighth-inning role in the coming season, but there's a chance he sees the occasional ninth-inning opportunity early if the Cardinals opt to ease Jordan Hicks back into the full-time closer role.

Miller earned the save against Milwaukee on Thursday, pitching two-thirds of an inning and allowing no runs on one hit while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Miller allowed an inherited runner to score when he gave up a single to the first batter he faced, but the veteran struck out the next two hitters to close out the save. The southpaw may be settling in as the Cardinals' closer as he has picked up each of the team's past two saves. That represents a noticeable commitment from St. Louis after four different pitchers had been credited with the team's previous four saves prior to Miller's run.

Miller made his 14th appearance of the season in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Pirates, which triggered his $12 million vesting option for 2021, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Miller inked a two-year, $25 million contract with St. Louis in December 2018, with the deal including a vesting option for 2021 if he made 110 appearances between the 2019 and 2020 seasons and a $2.5 million buyout if he failed to meet that threshold. Due to the 60-game 2020 campaign, Miller's option was prorated for 87 appearances, and since he already worked out of the bullpen in 73 games in 2019, the southpaw has now reached the necessary benchmark. Miller hasn't quite performed at the peak levels he reached between 2014 and 2017, but he's established himself as a key piece in a St. Louis bullpen that has been hit hard by the injury bug this season. With a perfect 3-for-3 mark in save opportunities and just one earned run allowed over his past nine outings, Miller looks to be the top option in the Cardinals' closing committee.

Miller picked up the save Sunday against the Pirates, striking out one while not allowing a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

With Giovanny Gallegos still working his way back from a groin injury, Miller was called upon to pitch the ninth inning with the Cardinal's leading 2-1. The veteran left-hander was up to the task, picking up his third save while tossing a drama-free frame. Gallegos figures to be activated from the injured list at some point in the next week, but Miller will remain an option to pitch the ninth inning going forward.

Miller was charged with the blown save in Sunday's loss to the Reds. He gave up one run and one walk in two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Miller was wild after replacing John Gant (groin) in the seventh inning, plunking Aristides Aquino before walking Freddy Galvis. The lefty would go on to uncork a wild pitch. St. Louis recently lost Giovanny Gallegos (groin) to the IL and the veteran Miller remains in the mix for ninth-inning work, although hard-throwing righty Alex Reyes is perhaps the most deserving candidate for save chances.

Miller was identified by manager Mike Shildt as a candidate to see save opportunities the rest of the season in the wake of Giovanny Gallegos' (groin) placement on the injured list, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran southpaw brings plenty of closing pedigree to the table, considering he logged 36 saves for the Yankees back in 2015 and added 24 more over the subsequent four seasons. Miller also has a pair of saves in as many chances this season and carries a 3.68 ERA across 7.1 innings.

Miller (shoulder), activated from the injured list earlier in the day, pitched a clean seventh inning during a win over the Cubs in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Mike Shildt found a relatively soft landing spot for Miller's return, and the veteran southpaw was able to successfully close out the 5-1 victory on an efficient 13 pitches, nine of which he threw for strikes. Miller now has three straight scoreless appearances, and he's blanked the opposition in six of his last seven trips to the mound overall.