Pirates manager Clint Hurdle confirmed Monday that Jason Grilli will continue to serve as closer. "We're going back to way was for three and a half months, before Jason got hurt," said Hurdle. This means that Tony Watson will primarily pitch in the eighth inning while Mark Melancon will return to his set-up role.

Jason Grilli worked a scoreless ninth inning for his 31st save of the season, and first since July 21, against the Reds on Saturday. Grilli was moved back into the role after Mark Melancon fell on hard times recently and, just like riding a bike, he made the transition back to closing seamlessly. Grilli gave up a leadoff single to Ryan Ludwick but got Jay Bruce to ground into a double play and got Zack Cozart to ground out to end it. Unless he struggles, the right-hander will likely continue to get the team's save opportunities over the final week of the season, so snatch him up in any leagues where he might have been cast off during his middle relief days.

Jason Grilli will serve as the Pirates' closer Saturday. Mark Melancon blew his second straight save opportunity on Friday night against the Reds, so the Pirates are opening the competition. Grilli is a nice grab for standard fantasy-leaguers seeking some last-minute saves.

With the score tied at 2-2 in the eighth inning on Sunday, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle turned to Kyle Farnsworth instead of Jason Grilli to keep his team in the ballgame. Rather than clearly defining the roles in his bullpen, Hurdle asked the media earlier in the week to watch the games to understand how his pitchers would be use. If Sunday is any indication, Kyle Farnsworth may have assumed the role as primary setup man in front of closer Mark Melancon. Until Grilli straightens himself out, he holds no fantasy value whatsoever.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle indicated Saturday that he would still like Jason Grilli to regain the closer's role at the end of his bullpen. Unfortunately, Grilli is quickly running out of time to make that come to fruition. With Mark Melancon pitching well and Grilli posting a 12.00 ERA and 2.67 WHIP over three innings since returning, it's unlikely that the Pirates make a switch any time soon.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Thursday that Jason Grilli will now be used in the seventh and eighth innings. Grilli has allowed two runs on four hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings over three appearances since returning from the disabled list. Hurdle wants him back in the closer role soon, but Mark Melancon will continue to handle the gig in the short-term.

Pirates activated RHP Jason Grill from the 15-day disabled list. Grilli will return to the Pirates' bullpen on Tuesday night after sitting out for the past six weeks with a strained right forearm. He should reclaim the ninth-inning job in Pittsburgh eventually, but it might not be an out-of-the-gate type of thing. Mark Melancon owners should hold tight for the time being.

Jason Grilli (forearm) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Saturday with Double-A Altoona. Grilli will pitch one inning in Double-A on Saturday and Monday before making another one-inning appearance on Wednesday with Triple-A Indianapolis. Barring any setbacks, he could be ready to join the Pirates' bullpen after that. The 36-year-old has been sidelined since late July with a strained right forearm.

Jason Grilli (forearm) threw a successful 25-pitch simulated game on Wednesday afternoon. If he wakes up feeling fine on Thursday, the right-hander will be cleared to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday with Double-A Altoona. Barring setbacks, Grilli is about 10 days from rejoining the Bucs. The veteran closer has been out since late July.

Jason Grilli (forearm) will throw another bullpen session on Sunday, and if all goes well he'll progress to a 25-pitch simulated game on Wednesday. Grilli continues to make tangible strides towards returning to the Pirates' bullpen. While Mark Melancon has done a nice job in the interim basis, Grilli will return to the closer's role once he's activated from the DL in early September.