Clint Hurdle has announced that Mark Melancon is the new closer for the Pirates. He is the logical candidate with experience in that role. Jason Grilli has been ousted.
"We're very comfortable with what (he) can do in (the ninth inning)," Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
Melancon locked down 10 of 12 save chances through May before Grilli returned from injury. He has continued his effectiveness in a late-inning role, having pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings on just one hit and fanning nine.