The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to sign veteran right-handed relief pitcher Kendall Graveman to a major league contract on Friday.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers first reported the one-year deal, pending a physical.
The D-backs have been looking for bullpen help this offseason, and general manager Mike Hazen said on Thursday that would more likely come via free agency. Arizona’s ninth inning role is uncertain early in spring training, and while club leaders want to name a closer by the end of camp, they don’t want to force it.
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Graveman joins the mix of potential closers during the first week of spring training workouts. He is a nine-year veteran with some closing experience, although he did not pitch in 2024 after undergoing shoulder surgery.
In 2023, he made 68 appearances for the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox, working a 3.12 ERA with an average 23.4% strikeout rate and well below average 12.7% walk rate.
From 2021-23 — after he underwent Tommy John surgery and transitioned from a starter to full-time reliever — he produced a 2.74 ERA with 24 saves in 187.1 innings pitched.
The 34-year-old has leaned on his sinker, slider and four-seam fastball primarily as a relief pitcher, throwing heat in the mid-90s.
Kendall Graveman, Beautiful 96mph Front Door Two Seamer. pic.twitter.com/QrVSER47vt
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 31, 2021
The bulk of the Arizona bullpen remained intact heading into spring training with Paul Sewald the most notable free agent departure. Sewald signed with the Cleveland Guardians.
A.J. Puk, Justin Martinez, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson and Joe Mantiply are under contract, and the D-backs claimed former Astros reliever Seth Martinez earlier this offseason.
Arizona previously checked in on St. Louis All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, but the Cardinals have held onto him. The D-backs also showed interest in free agent closer Kirby Yates, according to AZCentral’s Nick Piecoro, but Yates agreed to terms with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.
Arizona’s bullpen went through multiple transitions last year, as Sewald started the campaign shelved with an oblique strain. Once he returned in May, roles were again established and he started 11-for-11 in save chances. A miserable July for Sewald changed the outlook of the bullpen, as the club decided to move to a closer-by-committee approach, which lasted through the end of the season.
Puk and Martinez were standouts of the group. Puk produced a 1.32 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 27.1 innings after coming over in a trade from the Miami Marlins. Martinez, as a rookie, worked a 2.48 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 72.2 innings.
D-backs relievers overall finished the season with a 4.41 ERA, which ranked 25th in MLB. Injuries to the starting rotation placed a heavy workload on the bullpen, which ranked eighth in MLB in batters faced.
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