He is in the Sox' system because he can catch a knuckleball, which he demonstrated by his ability to handle Jared Fernandez, the former Sox farmhand who threw to Miller when he was in the Reds' system, both at the minor and major league levels. Could he be in a Sox uniform by Monday, when Tim Wakefield is scheduled to make his next start, at home against the Yankees?
The Sox have made no decisions, but they may likely be leaning toward a change after catcher Josh Bard was charged with four passed balls in last night's 7-1 loss to the Indians. Bard, who has caught Wakefield in all five of his starts, has now been charged with 10 passed balls, which puts him on a pace to commit an ungodly 60 if Wakefield makes 30 starts. Last season, Doug Mirabelli, who made a nice living with the Sox by catching Wakefield, had six.
If not Miller, the Sox could turn to Ken Huckaby, who prepared for the assignment by showing up at Wakefield's home in Melbourne, Fla., this winter to work with the knuckleballer. Huckaby, who was hindered by a knee injury in spring training and lost out to Bard for the job of Jason Varitek's backup, opened the season in Pawtucket and last week went on the seven-day disabled list when he was struck in the throwing hand by a bat, but he's eligible to come off the DL tomorrow.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was in Pawtucket last night, ostensibly to watch top lefthanded prospect Jon Lester, but he also had the chance to check out Miller, a former two-time Southern League All-Star and International League catcher of the year who is listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 246 pounds, and does not appear to be shorted at that number.
