Cleveland Indians: Ace reliever Andrew Miller to return Thursday

Andrew Miller is scheduled to return from the disabled list on Thursday and work his way back into a significant role in the Cleveland Indians bullpen.

Miller will be on a strict schedule when he returns. The plan Thursday involves bringing Miller in for one out in a low-pressure situation and slowly progressing with a goal of having him at or near full strength for the playoffs.

Cleveland rattled off 20 consecutive wins entering Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers while Miller was serving two stints on the disabled list with patellar tendonitis in his right knee.

In his last appearance, Miller entered against the Boston Red Sox but left after throwing seven pitches in the seventh inning. The All-Star reliever had just returned from a 16-day stint on the disabled list.

Miller owns a 4-3 mark with two saves and a 1.65 ERA in 48 appearances this season.