Veteran reliever Kendall Graveman has been designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who called up right-handed pitcher Juan Morillo on Monday. Graveman, with a 1-0 record and a 7.13 ERA in 19 appearances for the Diamondbacks, signed with the team in spring training after missing last season due to surgery in January 2024 to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. The pitcher is 34 years old. Morillo, a 26-year-old rookie right-hander, had a 4.94 ERA in 31 appearances for the Diamondbacks earlier this season and joined the team before the start of the three-game series in Texas. After starting the season on the injured list due to a right lumbar strain, Graveman didn’t pitch his first game for Arizona until May 13. He also missed time in June with a hip issue. In his last appearance on Sunday, he allowed three runs, including a two-run home run, after entering the Diamondbacks’ home victory over Colorado with a 12-3 lead.
Graveman’s contract with Arizona had a salary of $1.35 million with a mutual option of $5 million for 2026 and a $100,000 buyout. Graveman earned total bonuses of $150,000 for pitching at least 15 games this year, and was one appearance away from another $150,000 bonus. Graveman has a career record of 38-43 and an ERA of 4.03 in 299 games over 10 seasons in the major leagues, including 80 starts before shifting to a full-time relief role in 2021. He first pitched with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014, and later with the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Houston Astros. Arizona also claimed right-handed pitcher Gus Varland, who was released last week by the Chicago White Sox, and sent him to Triple-A Reno. Right-handed pitcher Jeff Brigham was designated for assignment.Kendall was struggling with some things. He had some really good moments, some uncertain moments outside of that and we felt it was the right time to make a move and bring Juan back here.
Torey Lovullo, Arizona manager
