Pittsburgh Pirates Fantasy Baseball Closer Information and Depth Chart
| . | Closer | . | Set-Up | . | 2nd in line | . | 2014 Closer | . | Updated | |
| PIT | Jason Grilli | Mark Melancon | Justin Wilson | Jason Grilli | 5/23/13 |
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Previous updates:
May 23, 2013
Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon picked up the save on Wednesday. As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Jason Grill had pitched three of the last four games. No hierarchy change.
May 22, 2013
Pittsburgh Pirates – With a win and two holds in the last week, Justin Wilson has moved ahead of Tony Watson in the Pirates’ pen. Hierarchy change: Justin Wilson to 2nd in line, replacing Tony Watson.
May 15, 2013
Pittsburgh Pirates – Whatever kept Jason Grilli from playing on Monday didn’t interfere with his Tuesday performance – he struck out the side in a perfect ninth. No hierarchy change.
May 14, 2013
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli left the clubhouse abruptly on Monday due to personal reasons, and should be considered day-to-day. No hierarchy change.
April 26, 2013
Pittsburgh Pirates – With both Jason Grilli and Mark Melancon getting a day off, Tony Watson picked up a 2-inning save on Thursday. Barring injuries, Watson won’t get too many opportunities like this one. No hierarchy change.
April 4, 2013
Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Watson came on to finish the 7th inning for the Pirates on Wednesday, then stayed on to pitch the 8th, logging a perfect 1.1 innings and picking up his first save of the year. Due to his past experience, Mark Melancon is likely the guy the Pirates will use on days where Jason Grilli is unavailable, but Watson may get some 8th inning action as well. Hierarchy change: Tony Watson to 2nd in line, replacing Jared Hughes.
February 24, 2013
Pittsburgh Pirates – Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Jason Grilli, Set-up- Mark Melancon, 2nd in line- Jared Hughes.
October 2, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – With Joel Hanrahan and Jason Grilli unavailable after pitching in two straight, Jared Hughes picked up his second save of the season. No hierarchy change.
August 18, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Juan Cruz, who returned from the DL a week ago, pitched in the 7th inning last night. Cruz should return to that role on a regular basis, especially given how shaky Chad Qualls has been lately. Hierarchy change: Juan Cruz to 2nd in line, replacing Chad Qualls.
August 10, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – With the Pirates down by 1 run in the 7th, they went to Jared Hughes, who got knocked around and was unable to escape the inning. The Pirates traded for Chad Qualls at the deadline, and used him in the 8th inning ahead of Joel Hanrahan on Wednesday; he’s now ahead of Hughes on the depth chart. Hierarchy change: Chad Qualls to 2nd in line, replacing Jared Hughes.
July 29, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli picked up the save on Saturday. As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Joel Hanrahan had pitched three days in a row. No hierarchy change.
July 26, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jared Hughes pitched the 7th inning in a 1-run game on Wednesday, notching his 9th hold. The righty now has a 1.90 ERA and has picked up three holds this week. Hierarchy change: Jared Hughes to 2nd in line, replacing Brad Lincoln.
July 22, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Brad Lincoln was summoned in the 8th inning with the Pirates up by 4 runs and several runners on base. He got out of the jam, then stayed on for the 9th to record his first save of the season. Lincoln won’t often get a save chance, but with Juan Cruz recently hitting the DL, he will play an increasingly important role in the Pirates bullpen. Hierarchy change: Brad Lincoln to 2nd in line, replacing Juan Cruz.
July 12, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – The first-place Pirates are buyers, but most media reports have them seeking a bat, not an arm. Even if they were to tack on in the bullpen, an acquisition would probably inherit the 7th or 8th inning role, as Joel Hanrahan has been solid all year. BUY/SELL: None.
July 1, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jared Hughes got the last out of the 8th inning with the Pirates up three runs, then stayed on for the 9th after the Pirates added to their lead. Hughes does not fit in to the Pirates regular late-inning plans. No hierarchy change.
June 11, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Up until Sunday, the Pirates had used Jason Grilli exclusively in the 8th inning, vaulting Juan Cruz from his 7th inning role into the closer role on nights when Joel Hanrahan was unavailable. But yesterday, with Hanrahan getting the night off, the Pirates finally gave Grilli a save opp, and he converted. Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up, Juan Cruz to 2nd in line.
June 8, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Chris Resop picked up a 10th inning save last night. Joel Hanrahan had already pitched, blowing the save an inning earlier, but his job is not in jeopardy. No hierarchy change.
May 13, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Juan Cruz picked up the save on Saturday. As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Joel Hanrahan was on the bereavement list due to the death of his grandmother. Hanrahan is expected to return to the team today. No hierarchy change.
April 19, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – As noted in yesterday’s vulture save watch, Joel Hanrahan is still sidelined with a mild hamstring injury, allowing Juan Cruz to pick up his second save in as many days. While Hanrahan could return as soon as Friday, the Pirates have shown that Cruz will get any save opportunities when Hanrahan is unavailable, while Jason Grilli remains the 8th inning guy regardless. Hierarchy change: Juan Cruz to Set-up, Jason Grilli to 2nd in line.
April 18, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan has sustained a mild hamstring injury, and Juan Cruz picked up the save in his absence last night. Hanrahan’s job is not in jeopardy and he is considered day to day, but Cruz has been solid this season, having not allowed any runs through 5 innings so far. Hierarchy change: Juan Cruz to 2nd in line, replacing Evan Meek.
April 16, 2012
Pittsburgh Pirates – Jason Grilli has pitched the 8th inning in four of the last six games for the Pirates. Grilli has surpassed Evan Meek, who struggled during spring training, on the depth chart. Hierarchy change: Jason Grilli to Set-up, Evan Meek to 2nd in line.
September 25, 2011
Pittsburgh Pirates – Joel Hanrahan was unavailable for the 9th inning after throwing 32 pitches the previous night, so the Pirates turned to Jason Grilli for the save. No hierarchy change.
September 16, 2011
Pittsburgh Pirates – Evan Meek, the Pirates lone All Star in 2010, has been re-establishing himself as a reliable late-inning reliever since returning from the DL a few weeks ago. Hierarchy change: Meek to 2nd in line, replacing Grilli.
