MINNEAPOLIS — MLB Pipeline released their latest update of the top prospects in the Phillies organization Saturday, and infielder Aidan Miller came in at No. 2 behind RHP Gage Wood.
Of course, Miller hasn’t played at all this season because of a back injury. Miller underwent a procedure to address his back in June, with the Phillies issuing the follow release at the time:
“Phillies infielder Aidan Miller has been diagnosed with discogenic pain and facet inflammation in the lumbar spine. Due to recurrence of low back pain when returning to baseball activities, he was seen by spine specialists over the last couple of weeks. The specialists were in agreement that the recommended course of treatment is a minimally invasive procedure called a radiofrequency ablation of the facet joints. Miller will have the procedure performed this Friday, June 5. He will rest for one week after the procedure and then return to his rehabilitation with the goal to return to game activity in six to eight weeks.”
Suffice to say, the six-to-eight week timeline has long since passed, and Miller hasn’t returned to game activity. The 22-year-old hasn’t played at all this season, even in Spring Training.
After the Aug. 3 trade deadline president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was asked whether the Phillies still expected Miller to play again this season. He responded by saying: “We’re hopeful, we’ll see. He’s making progress.”
Prior to Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, interim manager Don Mattingly was asked whether there’s anything new to report on Miller.
“He was doing baseball activity last week, we know that,” Mattingly said. “Nothing really, no update from medical today on him. It’s usually about once every two weeks or something.”
If you’re wondering what “baseball activity” entails, a person with knowledge of the situation said that Miller is now doing “everything,” but declined to go into further detail.
Whether Miller can get into game action before Triple-A Lehigh Valley’s season concludes on Sept. 20 is unclear.
At this stage, it would be almost impossible to envision any scenario where he’s in play for the Phillies in 2026, but Miller remains a key figure in the team’s future. Alec Bohm will become a free agent after this season, while there are questions about Trea Turner’s long-term viability at shortstop (although he has seen improved results in recent weeks.) Miller, a natural shortstop, could be a fit at either one of those spots in 2027 if he’s healthy. Even if Miller isn’t able to get into a game before the minor-league season concludes, it would be nice for him to enter the offseason with the back injury seemingly behind him, as much as back injuries can be behind you.
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