Miller, D-backs await official MRI diagnosis

ATLANTA -- The D-backs will have to wait a little longer to get an official reading on Shelby Miller's results from Thursday's MRI.
Miller, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2017, was taken out of the D-backs' Wednesday night bout with the Rockies after allowing five runs in the first inning and with tightness in his right elbow. The D-backs' starter caught a flight back to Phoenix and met with team doctors before undergoing an MRI on Thursday.
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said before Friday night's game against the Braves at SunTrust Park that Miller's MRI was evaluated by team physician Gary Waslewski.
And while Waslewski felt that "everything was OK", according to Lovullo, he didn't want to make any official diagnosis.
"Dr. Was did [look at the MRI]," Lovullo said. "He felt good about what he saw, but he wanted to defer to Dr. [Neal] ElAttrache, who did the surgery. … We just want to make sure we get an absolutely perfect reading."
However, Dr. ElAttrache is currently out of the country and will not be available to analyze Miller's MRI until he returns on Monday. But with the All-Star break beginning after the D-backs' three-game series with the Braves in Atlanta, Lovullo said that there is little concern for Miller's return and the medical staff feels good with what Dr. Waslewski was able to see.
"Nothing can happen between now and that time anyways with Shelby," Lovullo said. "… It's not a huge issue for us right now. .… I don't think [a tear] is the case from the official review from Dr. Was."
More injury updates
• After being placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a strain on the left side of his neck, T.J. McFarland is still feeling some discomfort in the area and has not begun throwing. According to Lovullo, McFarland has been going to the training room with physicians to work out some of the soreness.
• Lovullo said Clay Buchholz (left oblique strain) is on track to make a rehab appearance soon after throwing Friday in the Arizona League. Buchholz intended to go four innings with 50 pitches, per Lovullo. However, Buchholz ended up only tossing three innings with a pitch count in the low 40s. Lovullo said he was shut down due to extreme heat in the area.
"The velo was fine and all indications were that it was a healthy outing today," Lovullo said. "Now, we are trying to set him up for the next step."