Kendall Graveman DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Free-agent reliever Kendall Graveman (shoulder) agreed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday on a one-year deal worth $1.35 million, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. The deal is pending a physical. If he reaches all of his incentives, the deal could be worth as much as $3.3 million. Graveman had right-shoulder surgery in January of last year to fix a torn labrum and to also clean up his rotator cuff, but the 34-year-old veteran right-hander is apparently fully healthy now and will give the D-backs an experienced veteran in the late innings in their bullpen in 2025. In nine big-league seasons with five different teams, Graveman has 24 saves while also posting a 3.95 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 17.8% strikeout rate and 7.9% walk rate. He didn't become a full-time reliever until 2021. Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk should soak up most of the save chances in Arizona.

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, relief pitcher Kendall Graveman is drawing interest on the free-agent market. Graveman missed the entire 2024 campaign, recovering from shoulder surgery to repair a torn right labrum. Graveman began throwing in August and is expected to be healthy during spring training. During the 2023 campaign, Graveman spent time with the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros and posted a strong 3.12 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. During the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Graveman held a solid 2.53 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP across 121 innings. While Graveman may not be as effective as he was before his surgery, he could find a role as a middle reliever. He is worth monitoring as he may be a viable target in leagues that score holds if he joins a competing team.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Kendall Graveman (shoulder) is in the middle of a throwing program with a remote chance that he could make it back in September. Graveman said his Jan. 10 surgery was to fix a torn labrum and clean up his rotator cuff. It was initially believed that the 33-year-old right-handed reliever would miss all of the 2024 season, but he's apparently made good progress and could make it back for the stretch run. Still, fantasy managers in deeper leagues probably don't have the room to stash a holds guy like Graveman. Plus, if he does return late in the year, the Astros probably won't have him pitching in high-leverage situations. He has 24 saves in nine big-league seasons and posted a 3.12 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, eight saves, 66 K's and 36 walks in 66 1/3 relief innings in 2023 with the Astros and Chicago White Sox.