Brett

Graves

It’s a return to the A’s organization after Graves was selected by the Marlins from the Athletics in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft. A third-round selection out of Missouri, Graves has appeared in 21 MLB games -- all in 2018 -- with a 5.40 ERA. He’ll be depth for the organization in 2021, but could help the Oakland bullpen over the summer if necessary.

Just some 40-man roster housekeeping for the Marlins. Graves turns 26 in January and posted a 5.40 ERA over 21 relief appearances in the majors this past season.

Graves was cruising before a blister ended his night after only 65 pitches. The former third-round pick hit rock bottom a month ago in an eight-run meltdown at High Desert but he’s bounced back with four solid outings in a row. He’s gone 2-1 over that stretch with a brilliant 2.50 ERA. The 23-year-old still has plenty of work to do. For the year, he carries an ERA north of five and opponents are hitting .277 against him with nine homers.

He retired the first 18 batters he faced before surrendering a leadoff single to High Desert center fielder Scott Heineman in the seventh inning. Graves allowed just the one hit over eight shutout frames while recording a single strikeout. He didn’t walk anyone. The 23-year-old hasn’t been anything special this year (5-8, 5.11 ERA in 21 outings) but maybe Wednesday’s impressive outing we’ll give him the fuel he needs to turn things around.

These injuries are known to sideline players for weeks at a time, so Graves could begin the year on the disabled list. He’s a Rule 5 pick, so the Marlins probably wouldn’t mind going that route in order to stash him.

Graves suffered the injury back on March 6. The Rule 5 Draft pick could join the Marlins as a long reliever once he’s back to full health.

Graves, who’s been out all season with a left oblique strain, posted a 5.59 ERA over 19 1/3 innings on his minor league rehab assignment. The Rule 5 Draft pick will likely work in long relief for Miami.

Steckenrider still ended up with the win after the Marlins took the lead in the top of the 10th. Brett Graves notched the save, though he wouldn’t appear to be a real threat for the closer job. With Kyle Barraclough recently ousted and on the DL with a lower back injury, Steckenrider remains the most likely option for save chances here.

The transaction was not made before the start of Thursday afternoon’s game against the Giants, but it should happen Friday. Graves, a Rule 5 Draft pick from the A’s this past winter, registered a 5.59 ERA over 19 1/3 innings on a lengthy minor league rehab assignment between High-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville. He will work in long relief for the Marlins.

Graves, a third-round pick in 2015 out of the University of Missouri, has struggled to a 5.00 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 362 career minor league innings. He also has a poor 6.8 career K/9 on the farm, and yet the 24-year-old right-hander could get a real shot at the MLB level next season with the rapidly-rebuilding Marlins.