A's hand Opening Night start to Graveman

MESA, Ariz. -- A's right-hander Kendall Graveman has been called on to make the first Opening Day start of his career, a gesture he considers a "very humbling honor."
After A's manager Bob Melvin delivered the news to Graveman on Thursday morning, the pitcher had a message of his own. 
"When he told me I was going to be out there on Opening Day, I said, 'I'm the No. 1 starter on Opening Night, but then whoever is the second guy is the No. 1 starter for us the next night,'" Graveman said. "That's the way we have to go about it to be successful, and I think that's the way we will."
The 26-year-old Graveman is no elder, but he's assuredly the leader of a young group that will be without ace Sonny Gray when the regular season opens. From the moment Gray was diagnosed with a moderate lat strain that will likely keep him out several more weeks, the next logical choice to start Opening Night was a no-brainer.
The nod is well deserved. Graveman anchored an injury-riddled A's staff last season, making all 31 of his starts and pitching to a 4.11 ERA in a team-high 186 innings. He'll face the division-rival Angels at the Coliseum on April 3.
"He's up for it," Melvin said. "I talked to him about it when Sonny went down a long time ago, and obviously he was concerned for his teammate, but excited about the fact that he's going to get his first Opening Day start."

Melvin also made official Thursday what had been assumed for weeks: Left-hander Sean Manaea will pitch behind Graveman, with Jharel Cotton in line to be the third starter. Three pitchers -- Andrew Triggs, Jesse Hahn and Raúl Alcántara -- are being considered for the final two spots, with Melvin hinting that Triggs, who allowed two runs in five-plus innings in his latest Cactus League outing, could have a leg up on the competition.
"If you're having to handicap it if we start tomorrow," Melvin said, "he's probably in a good spot, but we have a few games left."
Graveman, one of four players the A's acquired in a deal with the Blue Jays for Josh Donaldson in 2014, is sticking to a simple approach come Opening Night.
"It's exciting," Graveman said, "but then again, the mentality doesn't change: Go out and throw my game."
Just two years ago, Graveman made just four starts before he was optioned to Triple-A Nashville. He was brought back a month later, and ever since he has impressed with his continual growth.
"Every year he learns new things to incorporate, whether it's with his preparation, what he's doing on the mound, and that gets you ready both physically and mentally," Melvin said. "He's in better shape than he's ever been in his life. He's kind of on a mission to become one of those guys that pitches at the top of the rotation for many years to come."
"It really shows that hard work in this game, you can stick around and do some special things," Graveman said. "Not to say I've done anything, but this is one step forward."