Athletics tab Graveman as Opening Day starter
Turnover on the Oakland Athletics pitching staff is nothing new.
The Athletics announced right-hander Kendall Graveman as their Opening Day starter, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Graveman is the 10th different pitcher to be named Oakland's Opening Day starter over the past 11 seasons. Only Sonny Gray has opened multiple seasons over that time.
Graveman was acquired alongside Brett Lawrie and Franklin Barreto in the deal that sent third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014.
The 26-year-old started 31 games for the Athletics in 2016, posting a 10-11 record with a 4.11 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 186 innings. Graveman only struck out 108 batters, relying more on contact than an overpowering pitching arsenal.
Following Graveman, left-hander Sean Manaea and right-hander Jharel Cotton will round out the top three of Oakland's rotation to start the season. The team's fourth and fifth starters have yet to be announced.
Former ace Gray is progressing, but is still poised to start the season on the disabled list due to a lat injury.