Joe Espada and the Houston Astros are starting to look better again. While they are still trailing the Miami Marlins in the AL West, the squad has picked up the pace by winning five out of their last 10 games. After winning two straight clashes over the Chicago White Sox, they have the momentum before entering this series against the Baltimore Orioles. With Justin Verlander out and Jake Bloss making a return, they need some pitching help. This is where Kendall Graveman comes in.
The Astros could be seeing their relief pitcher, Kendall Graveman, return soon. He has been going through a pitching program for the last few months after undergoing right shoulder surgery back at the start of the calendar year. Now, it looks like he is determined to give the Joe Espada and Justin Verlander-led squad in the coming months. He outlined his desire to come back in his latest appearance, via Foul Territory.
“I'm in the middle of a throwing program that ends in July. So, we'll see. I'm on a throwing program and I have to do mound progressions, I'm just taking it a day at a time. You know the answer,” the Astros pitcher said.
Graveman had been experiencing some soreness in his right shoulder after the end of their last campaign. This caused him to go to surgery. Astros fans along with some reports have speculated that he could be missing the whole season. However, this new update could mean that Joe Espada will be seeing him in action before their season wraps up. If they could usurp the Marlins from the standings, the Astros might also make him play at some time during the postseason.
This comes as great news, sort of, for the Astros. Their bullpen has gotten less deep throughout the season because Justin Verlander is going through a neck injury. In the meantime, Espada called up Jake Bloss to pitch for them in their coming series against the Orioles.
Kendall Graveman's Astros stint so far
He is far from being their ace but the serviceable performances that came out of him are a big reason why the Astros were in postseason contention last season. With his help, they were at the top of the AL West. This got them up to the League Championship Series where they eventually lost in seven games to the eventual World Series champions, Texas Rangers.
Graveman had 23 appearances for the Astros. Throughout this time, he notched a 2.42 ERA with a 6ER/22.1IP. He has usually been the secret for contending AL West teams. His relief performances saw the Marlins, Seattle Mariners, and White Sox rise up in the standings. For nearly four years now, his cumulative ERA of 2.74 along with 24 saves and 51 holds throughout 186 appearances made him one of, if not, the most desirable relief pitcher in the AL.
With Verlander out and Bloss' performance yet to be gauged, someone like Graveman in the Astros bullpen could be a huge help. Hopefully, his throwing program works out well and he makes a return to the Astros rotation soon.
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