No Surgery For Pirates' Grilli, Likely Out 4-8 Weeks
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- The Pirates announced that, after consulting both team physicians and Dr. James Andrews, closer Jason Grilli has a flexor strain in his right (pitching) arm.
The injury does not require surgery, though the 2013 National League All-Star, if the history of such injuries is any indication, can be expected to miss four to eight weeks.
Team officials say Grilli will begin the prescribed process of rest and rehabilitation until he is re-evaluated in the next 10-14 days.
He was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 23. A timetable for him to begin a throwing program of any kind has not been determined.
Fellow All-Star Mark Melancon, typically an eighth-inning specialist, has pitched twice in the ninth inning in Grilli's place, recording the final three outs and collecting one save in consecutive victories over the Washington Nationals Tuesday and Wednesday at Nationals Park.
On Monday, when Grilli was initially pulled from the Pirates' eventual 6-5 victory over the Nats after experiencing discomfort, Vin Mazzaro came in to collect what would have been Grilli's 31st save in 32 opportunities. Instead, Grilli was credited with a hold.
With his 30 saves, Grilli, 36, remains the National League leader in that category entering the Pirates' three-game series against Miami in Marlins Park.
That series begins at 7:10 Friday night on your flagship home of Pirates baseball, SportsRadio 93.7 The Fan.
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