Unless one of the Dodgers regulars begins the 2018 season on the Injured List, or Dodgers make an unforeseen late spring training trade, recently acquired utility infielder / outfielder Brad Miller will most likely start the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

…but he will not be there long.

The 29-year-old Miller is the type of utility player the Dodgers covet; a low-cost veteran who can play several positions who swings the bat well enough to be a factor in the offense. His six-year MLB career slash-line of .239 / .313 / .409 / .722 is right on-target with the average MLB hitters in 2018, and he does have some power, reaching a career-high 30 home runs in 2016 … before the injury bug bit. And although he may not be a Gold Glove caliber defensive player, he certainly isn’t a liability with his glove and arm.

The former second-round draft pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2011 has struggled the last two seasons as he tried to play through significant injuries that resulted in surgeries: core muscle in November 2017 and hip labrum surgery similar to Corey Seager’s in August 2018. But he is now 100 percent healthy and the Dodgers may have pulled off the deal – and steal – of the off-season when they signed the Orlando, Florida native to a one-year / $600,000 minor league contract on February 28, two weeks after spring training had already begun for the Dodgers.

“He’s a guy that we’ve admired from afar for a while,” said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman after the deal was inked. “We’ve got guys that have a history with him … lot of pop from the left side, got versatility, depending how things play out, adds a player of depth, a very quality Major League player.”

Pop indeed. Heading into Monday night’s spring training contest with the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium, Miller was 6-for-18 (.333), with one home run and two RBI … until he hit his second home run of the spring, a solo shot, in the top of the seventh inning. Defensively, he has played at first, second, and third, plus a few innings in the outfield and making several terrific plays.

“I’ve seen Brad for years on the other side with the Mariners. He plays with a lot of energy,” added Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “For him, to show value for us, he’s obviously a left-hand hitter, can play all over the diamond. … the move around the diamond, the energy … could be a good fit.”

A lot to like, and it is just a matter of Time until we see Miller helping Dodgers win games in 2019.

…or is it?

There’s this rather significant glitch that Andrew Friedman has to worry about:

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