SEATTLE -- Perhaps no one was happier the Astros added right-hander Kendall Graveman to their bullpen in a trade with the Mariners on Tuesday than All-Star closer Ryan Pressly, who will continue to handle the closing duties. Graveman and right-hander Rafael Montero came to the Astros in exchange for infielder Abraham Toro and veteran right-hander Joe Smith.

“He’s obviously going to be a big help,” said Pressly, who has a 1.88 ERA and 17 saves. “He was having a really good year. I think it’s his first year in the bullpen, and he’s throwing the ball really well. It’s going to be nice to have him on our side.”

Graveman wasn’t available to pitch Tuesday, but manager Dusty Baker said he was good to go on Wednesday. Graveman, who moved to reliever last year, posted an 0.82 ERA in 30 games with 10 saves with the Mariners. He had the lowest WHIP (0.70) among all Major League relievers and the lowest ERA, opponent batting average (.136) and opponent OPS (.424) among all AL relievers.

“He just goes after hitters,” Pressly said. “He attacks hitters. He’s not afraid to pitch in big situations, obviously. Having that in the ‘pen and the back end of the bullpen is huge. You have to control your heartbeat pretty well, and it seems like he can do that right now.”

Montero, acquired by Seattle in a trade with Texas last December, joined the Astros on Wednesday. He began the season as the Mariners’ closer but ultimately lost the job. He has a 7.27 ERA in 40 appearances this season, allowing 56 hits in 43 1/3 innings. He was designated for assignment on Friday.

“It’s been a bit of a tough time, to be honest,” Montero said. “These are things that happen sometimes. I’m leaving all that behind now because I have a new opportunity here and we’re opening a door here with the Astros.”

To make room on the 40-man roster for Montero, the Astros designated right-hander pitcher Austin Pruitt for assignment prior to Wednesday’s game. Pruitt missed most of the season while recovering from elbow surgery and had posted a 6.75 ERA in two appearances with Houston. The Astros have 10 days to trade him, release him or outright him to Triple-A.

León sidelined in Sugar Land
Pedro León, the Astros’ No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will be out of action for approximately six weeks after fracturing his left pinky finger while sliding into a base on Monday night at Oklahoma City, the Astros announced on Wednesday.

León, who was recently promoted from Double-A Corpus Christi and had appeared in only five games for the Skeeters, was 5-for-20 for Sugar Land. He hit .249/.364/.434 with nine homers and 35 RBIs in 57 games for Corpus Christi. León signed for $4 million prior to this year as an outfielder but has been playing mostly shortstop.