On June 26, when Ramon Hernandez went down, the Reds realized they needed another catcher and traded outfielder Norris Hopper to the White Sox for Miller.
And he has been at Class AAA Louisville since then, until Ryan Hanigan suffered a concussion Sunday and Miller was called up — and immediately thrust into Tuesday's lineup to catch Bronson Arroyo.
"Corky is a veteran and his strong suit is defense," said manager Dusty Baker. "Bronson is not your ordinary pitcher, as far as signs and stuff. He's complicated and I thought Corky could handle it. Bronson is about rhythm and you have to be real quick with the signs. He likes to get the ball and work and not stop and break his tempo."
Miller was all for instant playing time and is happy to wear red again.
"I've been on a traveled road, but I was excited when I got traded back," he said. "I didn't know if I'd ever be called up but I was back with coaches I'd come up through the system with, like Mack Jenkins and Smoky Garrett.
"Cincinnati was my first team and usually guys go back home when they have the chance with free agency," Miller added. "This is a chance happening and I feel more comfortable if I was traded to a team where I'd never been before. I do know (third base coach) Mark Berry and (bullpen coach) Mike Stefanski. They were here in '04."
Cueto returns Friday
Johnny Cueto is with the team and is not being shut down for the season. He threw a bullpen Tuesday, plans to throw another one Thursday and an extensive one Saturday, "Then he'll come off the DL Monday and be ready for a doubleheader (against Pittsburgh).
"There is nothing wrong with him, this was just about skipping a start or two," said Baker. "He says his arm feels great, but it didn't have much life."
Hanigan cracks mask
Ryan Hanigan suffered a mild concussion Sunday when hit by a foul ball, but his catcher's mask suffered fatal injuries — a bent protect bar and cracked plastic.
"It bent the metal and cracked the frame on the right side," he said. "Caught me pretty flush. Most of those are glancing blows, but for some reason that one squared me up. I noticed the difference right away when it hit me. I've been hit a million times on foul tips and never had it faze me, ever. But for some reason, the way this one hit, dazed me up."
Bruce on the case
Baker put disabled right fielder Jay Bruce to work Sunday in Pittsburgh, making him take the lineup card to the umpires and listen to the ground rules.
"I didn't ask to do it," said Bruce. "Dusty handed me the card and said, 'Put us on the board with a win.' So I did (4-1). Hopefully I'll keep it going."
He took out the card against Tuesday.
Quote of the day
"Jerry Hairston should be very happy. I'm happy for him. He has gained 25 ½ games in the standings." — Manager Dusty Baker on the trade of Hairston to the first place New York Yankees.
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