Jason Grilli RP FA Thu 5/16/13 4:43 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that Jason Grilli is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Brewers.
He'll get a rest after pitching in back-to-back games. Mark Melancon has also pitched in consecutive games, so Hurdle probably wants to give him a breather, if possible. He may be forced to play the matchups if a save situation is presented.
Jason Grilli RP FA Mon 5/13/13 4:45 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that Jason Grilli is potentially unavailable Monday night.
Grilli left the clubhouse Monday afternoon in street clothes, reportedly to attend to a personal matter. It's not clear when he'll be ready to return. Mark Melancon would be the most likely alternative in a save situation.
Jason Grilli RP FA Sun 5/12/13 4:59 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Jason Grilli nailed down his National League-leading 15th save in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Mets.
Grilli recorded a pair of strikeouts while mixing in a flyout. The right-hander's move into the closer role this year has been seamless, as he's tied with Mariano Rivera for the major league lead with 15 saves, and he's yet to blown one. He also boasts a 1.15 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 25/4 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 innings.
Jason Grilli RP FA Fri 5/3/13 10:00 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Jason Grilli slammed the door on the Nationals in the ninth inning on Friday, notching his major league-leading 12th save of the season.
So much for the naysayers who avoided Grilli on draft day because he lacked experience in the closers role. He's been absolutely incredible through the first few weeks of the season, converting all 12 of his opportunities while posting a ridiculous 0.69 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 21/4 K/BB ratio over 13 innings of work. With him and setup man Mark Melancon pitching the way they are at the back-end of the Pirates bullpen, they look like a legitimate contender in the National League.
Jason Grilli RP FA Wed 4/24/13 10:35 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Jason Grilli worked a perfect ninth inning to pick up his ninth save of the season Wednesday against the Phillies.
What's that adage about paying for saves? Few probably had Grilli at the top of their list of closers heading into the season, but Grilli has yet to allow an earned run and is a perfect 9-for-9 in save chances. What's more, he's allowed just three hits and four walks in his 10 innings of work. This doesn't look like a fluke, either -- Grilli struck out 90 batters 58 2/3 innings for the Bucs last season. No, despite not entering the year as a "proven closer," Grilli is more than legit.
Jason Grilli RP FA Sat 4/20/13 9:57 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Jason Grilli registered his sixth save on Saturday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth.
There were some doubting Grilli's legitimacy after his strong 2012, but he's proving that last year was no fluke. He has yet to allow a run this season and has 11 strikeouts in seven innings. The Pirates won't lead the league in wins, but Grilli will still get his fair share of saves and strikeouts.
Jason Grilli RP FA Sat 4/13/13 10:23 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Jason Grilli tallied his fifth save of the season as the Pirates topped the Reds 3-1 on Saturday.
Another easy conversion for the 36-year-old right-hander. Grilli now has a 0.00 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 7/3 K/BB ratio in 5 2/3 innings this season. He should remain a strong fantasy option throughout the 2013 campaign.
Jason Grilli RP FA Fri 4/12/13 11:19 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Jason Grilli was a bit shaky on Friday, but managed to preserve a one-run lead against the Reds and notched his fourth save of the season.
Grilli allowed a one-out single to Shin-Soo Choo and a two-out walk to Joey Votto, before fanning the hot-hitting Brandon Phillips to end the night. In his first attempt at being a closer, Grilli has now converted each of his first four opportunities and has yet to be scored upon this season.
Jason Grilli RP FA Wed 4/3/13 10:17 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Jason Grilli struck out two over a perfect inning Wednesday against the Cubs to record his first save of the season.
Grilli got Anthony Rizzo to ground out before sitting down Alfonso Soriano and Nate Schierholtz swinging. The veteran reliever is taking over the Pirates' closer gig this season after one-and-a-half terrific years with the Pirates. He's got the stuff to succeed, but it remains to be seen how long his leash will be if he struggles.
Jason Grilli RP FA Wed 2/27/13 4:26 PM
Jason Grilli
RP FA
Jason Grilli gave up two earned runs and three hits in an inning against the Rays on Wednesday.
Grilli has been declared the Pirates' closer following the trade of Joel Hanrahan, but the 36-year-old journeyman will still have some work to do to establish himself. Mark Melancon may threaten for the job if Grilli struggles.