Houston Astros pitcher reveals shocking injury update

It’s been almost nine months since Kendall Graveman last pitched for the Houston Astros. The last time Astros fans saw him was on the penultimate day of the regular season last year, when he recorded just one out in Game 1. -0 Houston against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Nobody knew it at the time, but that was the final takedown that Graveman would score for a long, long time. He didn’t appear in the Astros’ ill-fated playoff run due to shoulder issues, and it’s fair to wonder if he would have made a difference in their seven-game loss to the Texas Rangers in the ALCS.

His shoulder went from bad to worse during the offseason, requiring surgery in January. At the time, the veteran reliever was expected to miss the entire 2024 season.

By mid-2024, this may no longer be the case. Based on Graveman’s latest comments, he could return much sooner than expected.

On Thursday’s episode of Foul Territory, Graveman hinted that he could be back before the end of the 2024 season.

“I’m in the middle of a throwing program that ends in July, so we’ll see,” Graveman said. “I’m on my throwing program, and then I have to do a progression on the mound, so I’m just taking it one day at a time.”

In that case, the 33-year-old right-hander could potentially return from the IL 60 days before the end of the regular season or during the playoffs (if Houston makes the playoffs), provided he continues to progress and doesn’t suffer no setbacks. .

Graveman’s presence, however brief, could give the Astros’ bullpen some much-needed depth. Entering play Friday, Houston’s relievers are 9-16 (second-fewest wins in MLB) with a 4.02 FIP (21st in MLB).

Time will tell if Graveman returns in time to kick off this season, but don’t count him out just yet.