The Pittsburgh Pirates received great news on Friday afternoon, as their closer Jason Grilli will not need surgery to recuperate from a flexor strain in his right arm. Before the news was reported, the Pirates' headlines featured them chasing closers on the market. However, following the positive news on Grilli, will the Pirates still pursue bullpen help as the Trade Deadline is approaching?
Grilli might not require surgery, but he can miss anywhere between four to eight weeks before he can step back on the mound. By that time, the Pirates' fate will have already been sealed. Currently, all the organization wants to do is make the playoffs. Yes, everybody's goal is to win the championship, but a playoff performance should suffice for the postseason-hungry fans of Pittsburgh. When Grilli returns, the season will be just about over and October will be around the corner. Therefore, as Jon Morosi reports, the Pirates will still hunt for bullpen help.
Since suffering his injury on Monday, the Pirates have used Vin Mazzaro, who immediately took over after Grilli after he departed the game in the ninth against the Washington Nationals, and Mark Melacon. Grilli is practically irreplaceable as he recorded 30 saves, the fourth most in baseball.
The Pirates will re-evaluate Grilli once again in 10-14 days.
