The Cubs signed right-handed pitcher Kendall Graveman last week, picking up the starter from Oakland, as he's coming back from Tommy John surgery. He's pretty much this offseason's version of the Drew Smyly signing, as Graveman isn't expected to return in 2019, but hopefully his recovery brings him back for 2020, and gets a shot to compete for a spot on the roster.
Anyway, it's a low-risk deal for the Cubs.
Hopefully Graveman does make a speedy recovery and who knows, he was pretty much a solid 4-5 starter back in 2016, with the A's. So, Graveman could become an affordable back of the rotation option and at least be some depth in case of injury down the road. And in less than a week Graveman is already breaking some Cubs news! The new Cubs pitcher was on "Inside Pitch" Thursday on MLB Network Radio and while talking about looking forward to learning from the veteran pitching staff and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, Graveman said the team also hired Brad Mills to some role with the club. Mills happened to be a teammate of Graveman with the A's in 2014-15, and I kind of remember Jesse Rogers bringing him up a couple weeks ago, but no one has announced his hiring. That is until Graveman said it on Thursday.
Mills, 33, pitched in 21 MLB games during his career, making 14 starts from 2009-15, but spent most of the time in the minors. Back in Sept. 2017, the Mariners released him. But hey, congrats on the new gig with the Cubs! It's likely that Mills takes over Hottovy's old job as run-prevention coordinator.
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