Diamondbacks Sign Kendall Graveman to One-Year Deal

PHOENIX, Ariz. — The Arizona Diamondbacks have secured a major addition to their bullpen, signing free agent reliever Kendall Graveman to a one-year contract, sources confirmed Friday. The deal, which is pending a physical, is aimed at bolstering the team’s late-inning options for the upcoming 2025 season.

Graveman, 34, returns to action after missing the entire 2024 season due to shoulder surgery. According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, the right-hander has fully recovered and is expected to play a vital role within the D-backs’ relief corps this year.

Since transitioning to a full-time reliever in 2021, Graveman has been one of the more effective options in the league, posting a 2.56 ERA, which ranks 15th among relievers during that time. His standout performances include a remarkable 1.77 ERA over 56 innings in 2021 and a total of 193 strikeouts across 187⅓ innings. Graveman has also recorded 24 saves since officially making the shift to the bullpen.

During his career, Graveman has suited up for multiple teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, and Houston Astros. He initially entered the league as a starter but efficiently reinvented himself as a reliever during the 2020 season.

Before signing with the Diamondbacks, Graveman signed a three-year, $24 million deal with the Chicago White Sox but was traded back to Houston in 2023 after a lackluster season for the White Sox. While with Houston, Graveman experienced mixed results, posting an 0.82 ERA in 30 appearances with Seattle but allowing eight runs on 20 hits in just 23 appearances for the Astros during the second half of 2021.

Despite these challenges, Graveman shined during the Astros’ postseason run that year, recording 11 strikeouts in nine playoff outings with an impressive 1.64 ERA.

As part of the Diamondbacks’ relief unit for the 2025 season, Graveman will join a group that includes established pitchers such as Justin Martinez, A.J. Puk, Ryan Thompson, and Kevin Ginkel. Last season, the D-backs bullpen struggled, ranking 25th in the majors with a collective 4.41 ERA.

In the competitive landscape of the National League West, the Diamondbacks are hopeful that Graveman’s addition will help solidify their bullpen and contribute positively to their performance in the upcoming season.