Cleveland Indians: Andrew Miller makes a rehab appearance in Columbus

While six Cleveland Indians players prepare to represent the team in Washington, Andrew Miller got some rehab work in with the Columbus Clippers.

The Cleveland Indians bullpen was a top story of the first half and not for positive reasons. Fans are hoping that changes after the All-Star break and the return of one player should help make things better.

Andrew Miller has only appeared in 17 games for the Indians this season and has been out since May 25 with a knee injury. He was shut down for most of the time since then but got back on the mound today.

Miller logged an inning of work with the Columbus Clippers today as six of his teammates are out at the All-Star Game in Washington D.C.

That is a great sign from Miller, although fans wouldn’t expect anything less from him when healthy. Hopefully this inning of work involved no pain in Miller’s knee.

Miller coming back could come at a time when the bullpen may be getting a makeover. Now that Manny Machado is not in the conversation, the front office can fully focus on adding at least one reliever, if not more. Perhaps in a package deal with the Baltimore Orioles that involves an outfielder.

Assuming Miller returns healthy and the Indians add at least one more reliever, that should mean the end of Josh Tomlin‘s time in Cleveland. There is just no room for him on the roster, especially in the bullpen. The only way to keep him is to just stash him on the DL with something like arm soreness and bring him back in September.

But first Miller has to return. He had a solid start to the season by not allowing a run in April. Then came an injury-filled May in which he allowed seven runs, including three in his final outing before going on the DL for good.

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This rehab outing is a great sign and given he feels no pain, Andrew Miller should be back and ready to go once the team begins the second half.