ST. PETERSBURG -- Red Sox infield prospect Mike Miller was in the middle of a bus ride to Rochester, N.Y., on Sunday when Triple-A Pawtucket manager Kevin Boles told him discreetly to check his e-mail.
It turned out to be the best e-mail Miller received. With it came the news his contract was purchased by the Red Sox and he'd need to catch a flight to Florida, for a three-game series against the Rays that started Monday night.
"We were on the bus to Rochester and our manager Kevin Boles emailed me," said Miller. "He didn't want to make a big commotion on the bus, so he told me to check my email, said 'Keep it quiet. Don't show a lot of emotion right now, but congratulations.' And he sent me the itinerary for my flight today. It was cool to see."
A ninth-round selection out of Cal Poly in the 2012 Draft, Miller has been an unheralded middle-infield prospect for the Red Sox who had never been on the 40-man roster until this promotion to the Major Leagues. Miller will be used off the bench during his stint with Boston.
"Dream come true," said Miller. "Wasn't expecting it at all. So to get the opportunity to come up here and play at the highest level, it really is a dream come true. And to play with the guys in the clubhouse -- I started my Red Sox career with Mookie Betts in Lowell, so it's cool to catch up to some of those guys and see them a few years later is great."
The Red Sox optioned shortstop Deven Marrero to Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday and called up righty William Cuevas since the bullpen was stretched thin. After Cuevas pitched Saturday and Sunday, the Red Sox optioned him back and needed another infielder. Enter Miller.
"I had a 4:30 [a.m. ET] shuttle to the airport today," said Miller. "Didn't get any sleep with the calls and excitement, first time coming up here, just a whirlwind, but it's fun."
Miller, 26, was hitting .251 this season between Pawtucket and Double-A Portland. He has appeared defensively at second base (32 starts), third base (seven starts) and shortstop (six starts).
A right-handed hitter, Miller has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games for the PawSox, sporting a .326 average in that span. He is a .267 career Minor League hitter.
Cuevas, 25, appeared in two games against the Rangers this weekend, allowing two hits in 2 2/3 innings.