Overview
- The Phillies announced on Wednesday that Miller was diagnosed with discogenic pain and facet inflammation in his lower spine and is scheduled for a radiofrequency ablation on Friday, June 5.
- The procedure is minimally invasive and targets the small nerves around the facet joints to reduce pain signals by applying heat through a needle.
- The team said Miller will rest one week after the procedure and then resume rehab with a goal of returning to game activity in six to eight weeks, though club leadership has given a wider seven to nine week estimate and said a 2026 return is not guaranteed.
- Miller has not played at any level this season after recurring lower‑back problems that began late in 2025 and produced multiple stop‑start rehab attempts during spring training and May.
- As the Phillies’ No. 1 prospect, Miller’s uncertain recovery affects short‑term infield planning — he is blocked at shortstop by Trea Turner and could have factored into third‑base decisions with Alec Bohm a free agent — and it slows the development timeline for the 21‑year‑old.