Diamondbacks infielder Connor Kaiser on his first major league hit
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Connor Kaiser on his first major league hit, a double in the seventh inning on Aug. 10, 2025, at Chase Field.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Diamondbacks designated Kendall Graveman for assignment, cutting ties with the veteran reliever whom they had hoped would help stabilize their bullpen when they signed him before the season.
Taking his place on the roster was right-hander Juan Morillo, the flamethrowing reliever who has bounced between Triple-A Reno and the majors this year.
“Kendall was grinding through things,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “He was having some really good moments, some touch-and-go moments outside of that.
“We just felt like it was the right time to get Juan back up here. He had been throwing the ball good enough in Triple-A and it was worth us getting him here to look at him. The best pitching coaches are here in the big leagues, and it’s an opportunity for us to help him keep moving and improve.”
Graveman had a 7.13 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. He had pitched well outside of a couple of ugly outings, including his most recent one, in which he gave up three runs on three hits and a walk in an inning against the Rockies over the weekend.
Graveman, 34, a veteran of parts of 10 seasons in the majors, is in his first year back following shoulder surgery that cost him all of the 2024 season.
Morillo has not been throwing particularly well in Triple-A Reno, where he had a 4.70 ERA in seven outings since his most recent demotion. He had six walks and eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings in that stretch.
Diamondbacks at Rangers, 5:05 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (6-3, 3.20) vs. Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi (10-3, 1.38).
At Globe Life Field: Nelson held the Padres to two runs over 5 2/3 innings and threw a season-high 100 pitches in his last outing. Manager Torey Lovullo said Nelson is close to being treated like a normal starter in terms of his pitch count, a process that has taken months after Nelson began the season in the bullpen. … Nelson’s slider has turned into a better swing-and-miss offering in recent weeks. Since the start of July, he has gotten whiffs at a 48.4 percent clip on that pitch. … Eovaldi has quietly been one of the better pitchers in the majors this year. He was good through his first five starts but has been especially dominant since, giving up just eight earned runs in his past 80 1/3 innings (0.90 ERA). He has given up just two earned runs over his past 38 2/3 innings (0.47 ERA). … Eovaldi, 35, faced the Diamondbacks twice last year, giving up six runs in eight innings. He faced them twice during the World Series in 2023. One of those was in the Game 5 clincher, in which he fired six scoreless innings in a 5-0 win.
Coming up
Aug. 12: At Texas, 5:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-2, 4.20) vs. Rangers RHP Jack Leiter (7-6, 4.05).
Aug. 13: At Texas, 11:35 a.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (9-12, 5.31) vs. Rangers RHP Merrill Kelly (9-7, 3.38).
Aug. 14: At Colorado, 5:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-7, 5.68) vs. Rockies RHP Bradley Blalock (1-3, 7.89).
(This story has been updated to add new information.)