Aidan Miller, the Phillies’ top prospect, will undergo a back procedure Friday that will likely sideline him from game activity for an additional seven to nine weeks.The shortstop, who turns 22 next week, has been out with back discomfort since late February and has since been rehabbing at the Phillies’ complex in Clearwater, Fla. Miller was pain-free at times in his recovery, but the Phillies said he felt discomfort again when increasing baseball activity. That prompted visits with spine specialists during the last two weeks. They determined he should undergo a radiofrequency ablation of the facet joints, which the Phillies termed a “minimally invasive procedure.” From there, the organization said he will rest one week before beginning rehab, with a targeted return to game action six to eight weeks after that.Miller played through lower back pain for much of the last two months of 2025, ascending the prospect rankings and stealing 22 bases across August and September despite his condition. It was not until the final week of the season, Miller said, that the pain worsened.
After offseason rehab, Miller entered spring feeling faster than the previous season and experiencing no pain while playing baseball. However, the discomfort returned shortly after, halting his progress.A healthy Miller could have been a difference-maker for the Phillies this season, particularly during early struggles for the club and third baseman Alec Bohm. Now Miller, who played just eight games at Triple A last year, might only return to that level by late August, if not later.Last week, Phillies general manager Preston Mattingly said the team was optimistic Miller would play this season, and the club would continue to lean on medical staff to guide that decision. Phillies director of player development Luke Murton was similarly hopeful, saying the Phillies want to prioritize Miller’s long-term health over short-term gains.Now the clock starts anew, and Miller once again must work toward a return to the field.
