LHP Wade Miley opts out with Reds, becomes free agent

Field Level Media|published: Sun 1st June, 18:07 2025

Apr 16, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Wade Miley (20) throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Veteran left-hander Wade Miley opted out of his minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday and became a free agent.

Miley hasn't pitched in the majors this season while continuing his comeback from Tommy John surgery in May 2024. The deal he signed contained a June 1 opt-out if he wasn't in the majors with Cincinnati.

"We told him we don't have a place to start him," Reds manager Terry Francona told reporters before Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs. "So he's going to look around at places to start."

Miley, 38, was injured with the Milwaukee Brewers in April 2024 and underwent surgery shortly thereafter.

In seven starts at Triple-A Louisville this season, Miley was 1-2 with an 8.84 ERA. He gave up 32 hits in 19 1/3 innings.

Miley owns a 108-99 big-league record with a 4.07 ERA in 317 career games (310 starts) for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2011-14), Boston Red Sox (2015), Seattle Mariners (2016), Baltimore Orioles (2016-17), Houston Astros (2019), Reds (2020-21), Chicago Cubs (2022) and Brewers (2023-24).

Miley has recorded 1,361 strikeouts in his career and was an All-Star for Arizona in 2012.

Also, infielder Jeimer Candelario (back) will begin a rehab assignment Monday at Louisville.

Candelario last played for the Reds on April 27 and is batting just .113 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 80 at-bats over 22 games.

Last season, Candelario hit 20 homers for Cincinnati, the second-best total of his career. He has 110 homers during nine-plus seasons.

--Field Level Media