Kendall Graveman is done for the year. Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images.
Coming into this season, we knew the bullpen could be a serious issue with Phil Maton, Hector Neris, and Ryne Stanek set to depart in free agency.
Well things just got much worse as the Astros announced on Tuesday that Kendall Graveman will miss the season after having shoulder surgery.
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
Fading the loss of Hector Neris was going to be a challenge BEFORE receiving this news. At least Graveman had the pedigree to be an effective seventh inning guy, leaving the 8th and 9th innings to Bryan Abreu and Ryan Pressly.
But with this news, the Astros may have to lean on Rafael Montero (5.08 ERA) more than they would like to this season.
In Graveman's short time with Houston in 2023, he posted a 2.42 ERA in 23 games. Unfortunately, shoulder discomfort kept him off the playoff roster, and now will keep him out for the entire 2024 season. We've likely seen the last of Graveman in an Astros uniform. He'll be a free agent in 2025.
The Astros trading catching prospect and former 1st round pick Korey Lee to the White Sox in exchange for Graveman looked like a reasonable trade at the time. But now, it appears to be a mistake, with Graveman unable to help the club in 2025.
Losing three quality bullpen arms now feels like a bigger pill to swallow with Graveman out of the picture. This now makes four losses to what used to be a strength for Houston.
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Jalen Green scored 33 points and Fred VanVleet grabbed a key steal late to allow the Houston Rockets to hold on for a 119-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
Amen Thompson added 23 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in his return after a two-game suspension to help Houston eke out the victory after leading by as many as 22.
A basket by LeBron James got the Lakers within 117-115 with eight seconds to go. Alperen Sengun missed 1 of 2 free throws after that to give Los Angeles a chance to tie it.
But VanVleet stole the inbounds pass intended for James. VanVleet made 1 of 2 free throws to secure the victory.
Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers. James added 21 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
Los Angeles used an 11-2 run, with six points from Davis, to get within two with 4 minutes to go. A dunk by Thompson started a 7-2 run that pushed Houston’s lead to 115-108 with 2 ½ minutes remaining.
The Rockets remained up by seven about a minute after that when a 3 by Davis cut the lead to 117-113 before the basket by James.
Takeaways
Lakers: Davis was dominant throughout this one but James struggled to get going early and had just five points at halftime.
Rockets: Thompson’s performance Sunday was a good sign for Houston. The second-year player is starting in place of Jabari Smith Jr., who could be out up to two months after breaking a bone in his hand Friday.
Key moment
The steal by VanVleet that sealed the victory.
Key stat
The Rockets had 52 points in the paint to 40 by the Lakers.
Up next
The Lakers visit Dallas on Tuesday night and the Rockets visit Washington that night.