Astros' Kendall Graveman: Available out of bullpen Friday
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Graveman (back) said he'll be available out of the bullpen Friday versus the Yankees, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Graveman was pulled from a relief appearance Wednesday against the Red Sox due to lower-back discomfort, but it has proven to be a minor issue. The 32-year-old setup man has posted a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings since the Astros acquired him from the White Sox ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
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Astros' Kendall Graveman: Exits with back discomfort
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Graveman was removed from Wednesday's game against Boston due to lower-back discomfort, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.
Graveman will be evaluated by the team during Houston's off day Thursday, at which point a clearer picture regarding his return timeline should emerge. Until then, he should be considered day-to-day. Graveman surrendered a hit and a walk over two-thirds of an inning before leaving Wednesday's contest and picked up his 11th hold of the season.
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Astros' Kendall Graveman: Returns to Houston in trade
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The White Sox traded Graveman to the Astros on Friday in exchange for Korey Lee, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
He becomes the fifth different pitcher dealt by the White Sox ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline. Graveman finished the 2021 season in Houston, so manager Dusty Baker and the coaching staff are already familiar with what the 32-year-old reliever can contribute. He figures to operate in a setup role ahead of Astros closer Ryan Pressly. Graveman had a 3.48 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 42:20 K:BB through 44 innings this season with Chicago.
White Sox's Kendall Graveman: Charged with blown save
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Graveman allowed three runs on three hits and a walk in the ninth inning to blow a save against the Twins on Sunday.
Graveman entered trying to protect a three-run lead and was unable to do so. He began the inning with a walk before two doubles, a single and a sacrifice plated three runs for the Twins to send the game to extras. It was Graveman's fourth blown save of the year, and he's allowed 12 runs (10 earned) in 15.1 innings since June 11. Liam Hendriks (elbow) is progressing towards a return, but Graveman still appears to be the preferred closing option for the time being.
Graveman picked up a save against Atlanta on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits while striking out one batter over one inning.
Graveman was asked to protect a two-run ninth-inning lead and nearly blew it. The right-hander served up a leadoff homer to Ronald Acuna Jr., then saw two of the next three batters reach base to put runners on the corners with one out. However, Graveman was able to induce a game-ending double-play groundout from Sean Murphy to escape with the save. The veteran reliever leads Chicago with eight saves on the campaign, though he'll likely revert back to a setup role in the near future with Liam Hendriks (elbow) back to tossing bullpens and seemingly nearing a return.
Graveman allowed a run on a hit and a walk while striking out two in one inning, taking a blown save in Sunday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals.
Graveman was called on to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning, but he put three of the first four batters on base. A fielder's choice and a second hit batsman created more trouble, but Graveman was able to limit the damage to one run. He's taken three blown saves this season, all of which have come since June 11. He's added seven saves, eight holds, a 2.93 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 39:19 K:BB through 40 innings in a high-leverage role.
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White Sox's Kendall Graveman: Escapes with save
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Graveman allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning Friday. He struck out one batter and recorded a save against St. Louis.
Graveman put two runners on base after recording two outs but was able to hang on for the save in the 8-7 win. It was his first save chance since June 24 and his first conversion since June 8. Graveman lowered his season ERA to 2.77 with a 37:18 K:BB and seven saves through 39 innings.
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White Sox's Kendall Graveman: Another shaky performance
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Graveman allowed two earned runs on two hits and struck out two across one inning Thursday against the Angels.
Graveman entered the game in the ninth inning, but it wasn't a save chance as the White Sox were up by four runs. He got two quick outs before allowing a single to Mike Trout and a two-run homer to Shohei Ohtani. While his struggles didn't cost the team a victory, Graveman has allowed seven hits and two walks across his last three innings of work. There's no sign that he's at risk of losing the closer role so long as Liam Hendriks (elbow) is sidelined, though Joe Kelly has also been effective out of the bullpen.
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White Sox's Kendall Graveman: Lucks into win
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Graveman (3-3) allowed an earned run on two walks and two hits while striking out two across one inning to earn the win Saturday against the Red Sox.
Graveman entered the game in the top of the ninth inning with a one-run lead. He got two outs without incident but then allowed an infield single before losing control of the strike zone and allowing the tying run to score. Even after lucking into a win, it was a subpar outing from Graveman. However, he's been very effective this season and entered Saturday's game having turned in scoreless efforts in 20 of his last 21 appearances. Given that track record, he should continue to get save chances as long as Liam Hendriks (elbow) is sidelined.
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White Sox's Kendall Graveman: Posts seventh save
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Graveman picked up the save in Tuesday's 7-6 victory over the Rangers. He didn't record a strikeout in one perfect inning.
Graveman earned his first save since June 8, retiring three straight batters to record a clean ninth frame. Outside of a blown save on June 11 against Miami, Graveman hasn't allowed a single run over his last 20 appearances. He's expected to split closing duties with Joe Kelly while Liam Hendriks (elbow) sits on the 15-day injured list.
Graveman allowed one walk in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday against the Dodgers.
Graveman protected a four-run lead, so he wasn't awarded a save. However, the usage does suggest that he'll serve as the White Sox's closer while Liam Hendriks (elbow) remains sidelined. Graveman surrendered two runs in his prior outing, but he's maintained a 1.00 ERA with a 14:8 K:BB across his last 18 appearances.
White Sox's Kendall Graveman: Nabs save in matinee
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Graveman allowed one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning to earn a save in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Yankees on Thursday.
Per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times, Liam Hendriks was available but "playing it abundantly safe" in consideration of his lowered immune system given the unhealthy New York air quality caused by wildfires in Canada. As such, Graveman was called upon to close out Game 1 of the twin bill with Chicago clinging to a one-run ninth-inning lead. The right-hander made a bit of a mess for himself, allowing the first two Yankees batters to reach base before inducing a Gleyber Torres foulout and a game-ending Anthony Rizzo double play. Graveman has converted all six of his save opportunities this season while posting a 2.36 ERA and 26:11 K:BB, but he'll presumably yield most ninth-inning opportunities to Hendriks moving forward.
