KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 7: Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell #11 speaks with members of the media before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 7, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
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The Cubs’ roster has become increasingly unwieldy as injuries force the team to find short-term solutions while preserving enough flexibility for players expected to return.
That was particularly evident as the club sought to replace franchise shortstop Dansby Swanson, whose absence has forced infield changes and several changes to the major league roster.
“With Dansby Swanson currently on the injured list and sidelined for at least the next month, the Cubs’ shortstop depth has been thinned at a crucial point in the baseball calendar,” Jordan Bastian wrote for MLB.com. “Swanson suffered a strained left oblique on Sunday against the (St. Louis) Cardinals and landed on the 10-day disabled list on Monday.”
Chicago responded by adding players to its infield mix, including veteran Owen Miller. But his stay on the Cubs roster turned out to be remarkably brief.
Cubs release Miller after one appearance
Miller, who has seen major league action in six different seasons, was designated for assignment Friday, just days after being called up to help replace Swanson. The move came as Chicago needed to make room for another addition to the roster, ending Miller’s last chance at the major leagues after just one game.
“Miller was just called up Monday as an extra infielder after Dansby Swanson went on the injured list,” Anthony Franco. Highlighted by MLB trade rumors.. “He played one inning at second base in Tuesday’s win over the White Sox. Miller did not appear at the plate and was delisted when Chicago had a chance to pick off a superior defender in Arias.”
The circumstances make Miller’s departure particularly notable. He was not dismissed due to a long period of poor production in Chicago; he simply became the odd man out when the Cubs needed to create roster space.
“The Cubs needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for Daniel Palencia’s return on Friday and unfortunately for Miller he was the odd man out,” David Shovein. wrote for NBC Sports. “It’s possible the 29-year-old infielder could attract waiver interest.”
Discarded Chicago Cubs infielder could get another chance
Despite the abrupt end to his time with the Cubs’ major league roster, Miller’s extended season provides reason to believe another organization could take a look at him.
The former third-round pick has appeared in the majors in six consecutive seasons, playing for four different organizations. He owns a career line of .238/.287/.342 in just over 1,000 major league plate appearances.
His work at Triple-A Iowa has been considerably more encouraging this season. Miller entered the Cubs’ latest roster change hitting .296/.350/.457 with seven home runs, showing enough offensive production to potentially attract interest from another club.
Miller has no minor league options, meaning any team that claims him would have to put him directly on their major league roster. If he clears waivers, he could choose free agency, although Chicago could try to bring him back on a minor league contract.
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