The Houston Astros have relied on their bullpen for quite some time now.
They always make sure to prioritize the unit: it doesn’t matter how dominant the lineup and rotation are, the mark of the Astros’ run in recent years is always having quality relief corps.
One of their main relievers, Kendall Graveman, got some really bad news on Tuesday.
The team announced that he will be missing the 2024 campaign with an unfortunate injury.
“RHP Kendall Graveman underwent surgery on his right shoulder, General Manager Dana Brown announced today,” the team tweeted, with a press release detailing the situation.
RHP Kendall Graveman underwent surgery on his right shoulder, General Manager Dana Brown announced today. pic.twitter.com/OgKezX9uJN
— Houston Astros (@astros) January 16, 2024
The injury also happens to be in the most inconvenient place, or body part, for a pitcher: the shoulder.
The procedure was actually performed last week, and it results in Graveman, who has been one of the American League’s best relievers since 2021 with a 2.74 ERA in 186 games, missing the 2024 campaign.
As the release states, Graveman reported shoulder soreness at the end of the regular season and didn’t pitch in the playoffs.
The Astros tried to go with the rest and rehab route, and that’s why he didn’t immediately undergo surgery.
However, when he started throwing in preparation for spring training, the soreness returned, and there was no escape this time.
Graveman was very solid in the 2023 regular season between the Chicago White Sox and the Astros, posting a 3.12 ERA in 66.1 frames.
The news will likely result in Houston becoming more aggressive in the relief pitching market, perhaps making more of an effort to bring back Hector Neris.
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