Aidan Miller had not played in a game of baseball since the spring. Constant back soreness sidelined the top prospect throughout the early months of the 2026 season until he had a procedure done to treat a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in June.
Saturday, the young shortstop made his return to the diamond, playing in his first rehab game for Single-A Clearwater. Going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk, all seemed to be going well.
Apparently, his official rehab stint ended at one game as well. Reporting to Double-A Reading on Tuesday, Miller has been reassigned from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to Reading, indicating the shortstop is likely to spend the remainder of his season as a member of the Fightin’ Phils.
Reading is currently sitting on the cusp of its first playoff berth in seven seasons. Double-A splits the season into two halves, with each division’s first- and second-half winners making the playoffs. If the same team wins both halves, the team with the next-best second-half record gets in. The four qualifiers then play a best-of-three Division Series, followed by a best-of-three Championship Series.
With a record of 36-26 in the second half, Reading is on the precipice of clinching the top slot in the Eastern League Northeast. Miller’s presence comes as a much-needed reinforcement as the team enters its final series of the regular season against Erie.
As they start the series tonight, Miller is still limited in the number of innings he can play.
“If I heard it right,” detailed interim manager Don Mattingly, “he’s playing seven tonight.”
With the addition of Luis Arraez, any rush to get Miller healthy and ready for a Major League debut in 2026 disintegrated.
Now, Miller can return for a final week of regular-season action to dip his toe in the water. With Arraez and Alec Bohm both set for free agency this offseason, a healthy offseason and a good Spring Training might be all that stands between the Phillies’ No. 2 prospect and his MLB debut.
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