The D-backs activated Kendall Graveman and placed Jalen Beeks on the IL on July 15 after a 10-5 loss to the Angels. Can the bullpen moves stop the skid?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's been a rough stretch for the Diamondbacks, and the front office is clearly trying to find a spark. On Tuesday, the team announced a significant bullpen move, reinstating veteran right-hander Kendall Graveman from the injured list. While his return is a welcome sight, it comes with a corresponding loss as lefty Jalen Beeks heads to the 15-day IL with lower back inflammation. It's a classic one-step-forward, one-step-back scenario for a team desperate to get back in the win column.
In a week marked by tough losses, the return of a veteran arm like Kendall Graveman can't come soon enough for a pitching staff in need of stability.
Getting Kendall Graveman back is a big deal. The veteran righty provides a steadying presence in the back end of the bullpen, something the D-backs have sorely missed. His experience in high-leverage situations will be crucial as the team navigates the second half. Unfortunately, the move is tempered by the loss of Jalen Beeks. The lefty has been a reliable arm out of the pen, and his lower back inflammation is an unfortunate setback. The hope is that Graveman's return can offset the loss and shore up a unit that has been tested lately.
The need for pitching help was on full display this past Sunday in a brutal 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. In a rare off-day for the ace, Zac Gallen took the loss, struggling to contain the Angels' offense. While the lineup showed some fight, putting up five runs wasn't nearly enough to overcome the deficit. It was a frustrating end to the series and a game that highlighted how thin the margin for error is when the starting pitching isn't lights-out.
The loss to the Angels followed a similar script from earlier in the week. On July 10th, the D-backs fell to the division-rival San Diego Padres 4-2. In that contest, the team just couldn't muster enough offense to counter the Padres' power. Solo home runs from both Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado proved to be the difference-makers. Losing these tight, divisional games is what separates contenders from the rest of the pack, and it's a trend Arizona needs to reverse quickly.
With Graveman back in the fold, the immediate question is whether his presence can be the catalyst for a turnaround. The offense has shown flashes, but the team can't afford to be in a shootout every night. As they prepare for their next series, all eyes will be on the mound. The D-backs need to stop the bleeding, and it starts with getting solid innings from both the starters and the newly-shuffled bullpen.
