Standing at 6 foot 3 inches and 205 pounds, Miner had no previous college experience before playing minor and major league baseball.

Miner was a fourth round pick by the Atlanta Braves, and in 2000, he received the second-team All-American pitcher award, and had been offered a full ride to Miami University.

On July 31, 2005, the Braves traded Miner along with relief pitcher Román Colón to the Detroit Tigers for setup man/closer Kyle Farnsworth.

[2] Miner did not make the 25-man roster at the end of the 2006 spring training, but he was called up to the Tigers in May 2006 to replace the injured Mike Maroth.

Miner started the 2008 season with the Tigers, but was sent to Toledo July 2 after walking four batters in two innings in a loss to the Minnesota Twins.

[9] He received a call up to the big leagues on August 3, and on September 20, joined the Phillies starting rotation after Kyle Kendrick was shut down for the remainder of the season.