In an attempt to patch up roster holes, the Arizona Diamondbacks announced a flurry of moves on Monday, May 12. Some that could have significant implications for both their infield depth and bullpen stability moving forward.
The headliner of the day was the long-anticipated return of top prospect Jordan Lawlar, who was recalled from Triple-A Reno after dominating the Pacific Coast League through the first month and a half of the season. Lawlar’s arrival gives the D-backs a much-needed jolt of athleticism and upside as they look to shuffle their infield mix.
However, Lawlar wasn’t the only reinforcement activated on Monday. The club also reinstated veteran right-handed reliever Kendall Graveman from the injured list, setting the stage for his long-awaited debut in a Diamondbacks uniform after missing the entire 2024 season recovering from shoulder surgery.
To create space on the 40-man roster, Arizona made two decisions, designating infielder Garrett Hampson and left-handed reliever José Castillo for assignment. Both players had been part of the club's depth chart but found themselves on the outside looking in after poor starts to the season.
Graveman’s return offers hope for Arizona’s struggling relief corps
While the Lawlar promotion grabs headlines, Graveman’s return could quietly prove to be just as impactful for a Diamondbacks bullpen that has ranked among the league’s worst. Entering play Monday, Arizona relievers ranked 25th in bullpen ERA (4.95) and 29th in home runs allowed per nine innings (1.38 HR/9) — a troubling sight for a team with postseason aspirations.
Graveman, 34, and no stranger to high-leverage moments signed with the D-backs in February for a one year deal worth $1.35 million with a $5 million mutual option for 2026. The former starter turned late-inning weapon is approaching a decade of major league experience and a track record of success across multiple roles.
In 2023, he split his season between the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros, proving to be one of the more dependable bullpen arms in the American League:
- With the White Sox: 45 appearances, 3.48 ERA, 8 saves, 42 strikeouts over 44 innings.
- With the Astros: 23 appearances, 2.42 ERA, 24 strikeouts over 22.1 innings.
Combined, Graveman finished the year with a 3.12 ERA and 66 strikeouts over 66 1/3 innings, showcasing his ability to handle both setup and closing duties.
As much as the Diamondbacks hope Graveman can help stabilize their bullpen, it's fair to approach his return with tempered expectations. Missing an entire season following shoulder surgery is no small hurdle, and it may take time to regain his sharpest form.
Still, if Arizona can get anything close to the 2023 version of Graveman, it would go a long way toward addressing the bullpen’s struggles to keep the ball inside the ballpark and finish games cleanly.
Arizona’s front office has made it clear they are not going to stand pat. With the arrival of Lawlar and Graveman, the Diamondbacks are signaling their intent to stay aggressive in their pursuit of another playoff run. It’ll be interesting to see how these moves unfold and if more reinforcements will be required before the trade deadline arrives.