According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Jason Grilli will be removed from his closer role for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
#pirates have removed Jason Grilli from closers role.
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) June 20, 2014
For time being, #pirates will use @GrillCheese49 in ultra low-leverage situations (i.e. losing game) so he can work things out.
— Rob Biertempfel (@BiertempfelTrib) June 20, 2014
It has been a tough season for the former All-Star closer. Grilli is 0-2 with a whopping 4.78 ERA, along with four blown saves. He has struggled to find the to form all season long, and has not only dealt with inconsistencies, but an oblique injury that cost him a stint on the disabled list earlier this season.
With Grilli out of the closer role, Pirates’ manager Clint Hurdle has decided to use Mark Melancon as the new closer. Melancon, himself an All-Star as a set-up man last season, has had his own struggles when asked to take on the closer role.
It is not known what role Grilli will have moving forward in the bullpen, though Hurdle indicated that the move is only temporary as of now.
With the Pirates opening a series in Chicago at 4:05 today, we could get an early test to see who the newly arranged bullpen responds.
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Photo Credit: CBS Sports
