Diamondbacks RHP Kendall Graveman experiences back tightness after return to mound

MESA — Arizona Diamondbacks reliever and free agent signee Kendall Graveman experienced more back tightness after throwing to live hitters on Tuesday, manager Torey Lovullo said on Wednesday.

Graveman signed a one-year deal with the club shortly after camp broke and has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game.

Lovullo remained optimistic Graveman would get back on the mound soon, but there is some concern for his ability to get ready for Opening Day on March 27.

“A little bit more (concern) than I had the last time, I’m not going to lie,” Lovullo said.

“I think he was in a really good spot. If he had gotten through this without the tightness he woke up with this morning, I would say we still had time, but we are going to determine what the amount of time is needed to get back on his feet. So I don’t know that answer. I want to remain optimistic, though.”

The right-hander underwent imaging for his back earlier in camp, which came back clean. He threw a bullpen over the weekend before getting back in front of hitters.

Graveman was brought in to add depth and experience to the bullpen. He missed all of last season due to shoulder surgery but previously threw 187.1 innings from 2021-23 with a 2.74 ERA and 24 saves.

The Diamondbacks have decisions to make regarding both the back end of the bullpen and its depth. Arizona has signed a number of non-roster invitees to compete for bullpen roles, such as Shelby Miller.

Returning to the D-backs after a disappointing stint from 2016-18 that followed a high-profile trade, Miller has bounced around to six teams with limited success as a reliever.

“A new pitch, the splitter, the ability to spin the breaking ball and change depths on it. And I just call it maturity,” Lovullo said.

“There’s a certain level of maturity I think every young player goes through. It’s fun for me to see him the second time around.”

Ryne Nelson continues to make push for rotation

Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson appeared primed to pitch deep into Wednesday’s spring training game against the Athletics with an efficient outing as he continues to build up.

Nelson, who is competing for a spot in the Diamondbacks’ rotation, threw 3.2 innings with one earned run at Hohokam Park. CJ Alexander, brother of D-backs infielder Blaze Alexander, hit a solo shot for the only hit allowed by Nelson, who also did not surrender a walk.

“Fastball command was a lot better today than it has been,” Nelson said after a 5-2 win. “I feel like one of the things I’ve been kind of focusing on is I wasn’t getting ahead of guys, and I did a good job of that today. Just focusing on things in previous outings that maybe didn’t go as well and trying to clean it up for the next one, stacking each start together and keep building.”

Nelson threw 46 pitches in his fourth Cactus League appearance. He has allowed two runs in eight innings, so far.

The Diamondbacks have difficult decisions to make to round out the rotation, and Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt and Jordan Montgomery are all in the mix for the fifth spot.

Nelson is coming off the most impressive performance dating back to the second half of 2024 of the trio, as Lovullo called him one of the best pitchers in the National League for about a month and a half.

Which holds true, as he was 10th in the NL in fWAR (1.8) from July-on, despite missing a couple of weeks with shoulder inflammation.

“It’s a very difficult discussion we’re having, and I want guys to go out there and perform the way he has been,” Lovullo said.

“To be honest with you, I’ve had a very similar conversation that I had with him in spring training the past three years. You gotta go out there, earn it, block everything out. Last year, we know what happened. (Eduardo Rodriguez) got hurt, he stepped into that role. … He can block out the black nose as good as anybody and go attack. And that’s maturity, that’s confidence.”

Jordan Montgomery and other Diamondbacks have their pitching plans

Given the potential for rain impacting the D-backs’ spring in the next few days, Lovullo has mapped out a plan of attack.

— Montgomery will throw a simulated game along the backfields around 12:30 or 12:45 p.m. MST on Thursday.

— Right-handed prospect Cristian Mena is probable for Thursday’s evening road game at the Seattle Mariners, barring weather disruptions.

— Ace right-hander Zac Gallen and southpaw Tommy Henry will throw in a Triple-A game against the Milwaukee Brewers on the backfields on Friday.

— Rodriguez gets the ball in Arizona’s Cactus League matchup with the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

— Corbin Burnes is probable for Saturday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.

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