The Brewers welcome back left-hander Wade Miley by signing him to a one-year contract

NASHVILLE – Wade Miley is back with the Milwaukee Brewers for at least the 2024 season.

And for that, Miley's young son Jeb deserves credit.

"I knew I was going to play in the Central (Division) somewhere; I just didn't know where," the veteran left-hander said Monday shortly after signing a second one-year contract with a mutual option in as many offseasons with the Brewers.

"If I'm being 100% honest, my son said I had to play for the Brewers or retire. So, that's really the end-all, be-all, was Jeb. Jeb made the decision for me."

Miley, who turned 37 on Nov. 13, went 9-4 with a 3.14 earned run average and WHIP of 1.14 in 23 starts this past season. He declined his half of a mutual option in early November.

According to a report, Miley will receive a $7.5 million base salary with an additional $2.5 million in incentives for innings pitched available. He would be due a $12 million salary in 2025 with a buyout of $1.5 million.

"The first thing I needed to do was really reflect on whether I was going to 100% play again," he said via phone from Milwaukee. "I think that more so went into it than where. Obviously, I love it here. My family loves it here. We talked, made some decisions that I was definitely going to play.

"This came to fruition, and here we are."

Miley rejoins a rotation that includes Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta and, most likely, Aaron Ashby. Colin Rea is also returning, prospect Robert Gasser figures to be in the mix and reports Monday also were circulating that veteran right-hander Joe Ross had also agreed to come aboard pending a physical.

"I'm excited," Miley said. "I've got a really good relationship with (manager Pat) Murphy. It's great. They do a lot of good stuff here. Getting to work with (pitching coach Chris Hook) again and (assistant pitching coach) Jim (Henderson), I'm looking forward to it.

"It's going to be fun, and we're going to figure this thing out."

Miley and Murphy forged a tight bond during Miley's first stint with the Brewers in 2018 and again last season, so it wasn't surprising to learn Milwaukee's new skipper was delighted with his return.

"He's much more than just a pitcher, you know what I mean?" Murphy said. "He means so much to a team. He's incredible in the clubhouse. He's a guy who makes others better. And when he takes the mound, yeah, he's going to compete. He sets a great example.

"He can play for any club at any time. You want him."

Health, of course, is always the key with any pitcher and that's especially the case with someone like Miley, who was quite durable last season despite a couple stints on the injured list caused by lat and elbow issues.

His 23 starts ranked third on the team and were his second-most since 2019. Miley will be entering his 14th year in the major leagues with 315 career appearances, 308 starts and 1,738 ⅓ innings to his credit since first breaking in with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011.

"Midway through last year my whole diet changed, my routine, my body felt really good," Miley said. "That's kind of what I was saying in that if I can keep this up, I can continue to do this at a high level.

"I feel really good right now. I've been working out, taking care of myself and looking forward to going into the season. This is going to sound crazy, but I want to make 30 starts. I don't see why not.

"Just keep taking care of myself."

Added Murphy: "If that's his goal, he'll probably achieve it. He's in better shape than he's ever been in. He's getting smarter. I mean, what can you say? I'm close with him. I was really pumped up that he decided to come back."

Miley also divulged he and his wife, Katy, are expecting a second son in February.

"He'll get me out of PFPs (pitchers' fielding practice) in the spring," he quipped.

Ross, who turns 31 on May 21, underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career in May 2022 while with the Washington Nationals and returned to pitch 14 innings over eight appearances at three minor-league levels with the San Francisco Giants in 2023.

A first-round pick of the San Diego Padres in 2011, Ross is 26-28 with a 4.26 ERA and WHIP of 1.33 in 98 career major-league appearances (76 starts). A sinker-ball pitcher, Ross also has struck out 403 in 443 ⅓ innings.

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