PHOENIX — Tyler Graham is tickled to be in the big leagues, period.

The former Oregon State center fielder wouldn’t mind a little more opportunity to play with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he’s not complaining.

Graham got the first call-up of his professional career when major league rosters were expanded from 25 to 40 on Sept. 1.

“That was a great day for me,” Graham said before Friday night’s game between the Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs at Chase Field. “It’s something I’ve worked hard for. It’s been a dream since I can remember. For it to come true was something pretty special.”

With Arizona still on the fringes of a playoff chase, Graham has made only three brief appearances in games.

Ironically, he made his major-league debut against San Francisco — the team that drafted him — on Sept. 15. Graham, 28, pinch-ran after Miguel Montero singled with the Giants ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth. Two pitches later, San Francisco catcher Hector Sanchez threw out Graham attempting to steal second base.

“I got a good jump and felt like I could get the bag,” Graham said. Sanchez “got an outside fastball and threw from his knees and made a perfect throw. It just didn’t work out, but I’ll remember the experience the rest of my life.”

Graham also played an inning in left field in a game against the Giants and struck out pinch-hitting against Colorado.

At least Arizona is giving the 6-foot, 185-pound Graham the chance he never got with the Giants, who took him in the 16th round of the 2006 draft after helping Oregon State to the College World Series championship.

Graham had a sensational season in 2010 with Triple-A Fresno, hitting .343 with 35 stolen bases in 109 games. Last season, he set a Grizzlies team record with 60 steals while hitting .273. Neither year did the Giants include him among their September call-ups.

“I felt I’d done enough to get a call-up both years,” he said. “But to have two successful years was big for my confidence, and it ultimately got me to this point in my career with the Diamondbacks.”

During the first week of this season with Fresno, Graham fractured a shoulder diving for a ball in center field. A couple of weeks later, the Giants placed him on the disabled list, opening the door for free agency and signing with Arizona after four months of rehabilitation.

Graham returned to play the final 31 games with the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate in Reno, hitting .250 with two stolen bases. And still, a call-up from the D-Backs on Sept. 1. Go figure.

“I knew their plan for me,” Graham said. “I knew I’d have an opportunity to make it up (to the majors) and try to help the team in September.”

Former Oregon State teammate Cole Gillespie hit .308 with 35 doubles, 13 homers and 66 RBIs in 126 games with Reno, remarkable in a season of personal strife. His mother died during spring training, and he dealt with a hip injury that finally required surgery with two weeks left in the season.

“For Cole to have that kind of season shows how mentally strong he was despite all he went through,” Graham said. “It says a lot about him and his character.”

Graham said he cherishes his time at Oregon State and still speaks often via phone with coach Pat Casey.

“'Case' has been like a second father to me since I came to Oregon State,” Graham said. “We still talk often. Anything you need it baseball or life in general, he’s a phone call away. It’s nice to have someone like that on your side.”

Arizona entered Friday’s game on the brink of elimination from the playoff race. It could mean more opportunity for Graham to see action in the final five games.

“We’ll see,” he said. “You never know what’s on the mind of the coaches or the front office.

“I prepare myself to play every day no matter the situation. If I get an opportunity to start a game, I’ll be thankful. I’ll go out and do the best job I can.”