A’s Demote Opening Day Starter Kendall Graveman to Triple-A Nashville

by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter

The Oakland Athletics were optimistic about the success that a healthy Kendall Graveman could have at the top of their pitching rotation as spring training came to a close. For the second straight year, Graveman would be the Opening Day starter for the A’s against the Los Angeles Angles.

His first outing turned out to be a rough start. Seven hits and five earned runs in only five innings of work left a bittersweet taste to the A’s season-opening win. Since then, things have not gotten much better. Despite his best start of the season Wednesday night, allowing three runs and six hits in six innings against the Rangers, Graveman’s 0-5 record has now cost him his spot in the rotation.

With an 8.89 ERA and seven home runs allowed in six starts, the A’s have decided to option Graveman to Triple-A Nashville, opening up a roster spot for right-handed pitcher Wilmer Font, who Oakland acquired from the Los Angles Dodgers on Wednesday.

#Athletics have added RHP Wilmer Font to the 25-man roster. RHP Chris Bassitt and RHP Kendall Graveman have been optioned to Triple-A Nashville.

— Oakland Athletics 🌳🐘⚾️ (@Athletics) April 26, 2018

Graveman battled with injuries last season, limiting his number of starts at the top of the rotation to just 19. He finished the 2017 season 6-4 with a 4.19 ERA and 70 strike outs.

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