Wade

Miller

Miller hasn’t pitched since June 25 because of a frayed right rotator cuff. The best-case scenario has him back for the final two weeks. Even if the Astros let him make a start to go into 2005 on a positive note, Miller won’t have any fantasy value the rest of the way.

Miller will begin a throwing program at the end of the rest period with hopes of being ready for spring training.

With the Astros catching wildcard fever, Miller hopes to return for the final two weeks and has volunteered to pitch out of the bullpen. Fantasy teams will want to leave him alone until 2005.

Houston’s chances of keeping Carlos Beltran seem to be increasing, but they may need Miller’s money to make it happen. Because of the questions about his shoulder, they won’t want to risk going to arbitration with him if they can’t sign him this weekend.

If it looks like Curt Schilling will be ready for Opening Day -- maybe even if it doesn’t -- the Sox will likely be careful with Miller and stash him away on the DL for the first few weeks of the season. The right-hander is trying to rehab a frayed rotator cuff. ''I don’t have the pain I did before. But once in a while it gets sore,’' Miller said. ''The pain I have now is not in the same exact spot I had the injury. It’s somewhere else. It’s inflamed a bit. It’s a work in progress.’'

''I don’t know the timetable but I’m very optimistic about starting the season with the team,’' Miller said. As long as Curt Schilling is ready to go, the Red Sox won’t have a reason to rush Miller, who is recovering from a shoulder injury. He remains an excellent sleeper, but should not be counted on early in the year.

It was his time throwing off a mound since last August. ''It was a nice step for him, but I don’t want anyone to think it was a breakthrough step,’' said manager Terry Francona. ''We’ll be slow with him. We’ll keep a tight rein on him, but he’s making progress. We have to be patient. At some point, he’s going to be a good pitcher for us. There’s some risk, but the reward can be huge.’'

Miller was impressive early, but had given up three consecutive singles when he fell. He downplayed the injury, but manager Jimy Williams immediately called on a reliever. At first it seemed as though Miller was favoring an arm injury when he fell. Replays showed him fiddling with his left thumb in the dugout after he was taken out. Miller thinks he may have jammed the thumb when he fell.

Monday’s off day will give Miller an extra day of rest. He’s scheduled to face the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Miller’s been working hard in the bullpen to find his control. Once he locates it, you’ll want to remember what he did after the All-Star break last season.