The Pittsburgh Pirates activated Jason Grilli from the disabled list after missing the past month with a strained oblique.
More from MLB
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return
- Shohei Ohtani trade rumors live tracker: Every update so far
- MLB Rumors: Yankees mistake, Cardinals trade package, Cubs choice
- Inside the Clubhouse: What I’m hearing ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline
- After frantic trade day, Kiké Hernandez grateful for second chance with Dodgers
Mark Melancon had fared well in the closer’s role for the Pirates so Grilli who made the All-Star team last year could be eased back into the closer’s role and serve as the set-up man in the interim as he gets back into the form he displayed last season when he recorded a career-high 33 saves.
So if you own either Grilli or Melancon in your fantasy baseball leagues you will want to pay attention to how manager Clint Hurdle manages the back of his bullpen over the next couple of days.
Grilli had never had more than two saves prior to last season. The 37-year-old has recorded four saves in eight innings this season and is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA.
Melancon has eight saves with a sterling 2.05 ERA after he also made the All-Star team last year en route to a posting a dazzling a 1.39 ERA in 71 innings.
The Pirates are in fourth place in the National League Central division with a 20-26 record and are seven games back of the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.
Grilli and the Pirates play their second game in a four-game series vs. the Washington Nationals tonight at 7:05 p.m. ET from PNC Park.