After missing one month with an oblique injury, Jason Grilli returned to the Pirates bullpen Friday ready to take back the closer role he had entrusted to Mark Melancon.
The problem is Melancon was so effective in the role that Grilli may not have as long of a leash going forward.
It won't be an issue if Grilli gets back to pitching like he did in the first half last year, recording 29 saves with a 1.99 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings. But since straining his right flexor tendon almost immediately after the All-Star break, he hasn't been the same, recording seven saves with a 4.60 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 17 appearances.
Maybe he just hasn't had a chance to get comfortable between the two injuries and will get back to dominating after a few uninterrupted weeks. But if he continues to flounder, you couldn't blame the Pirates for going back to what seems like a sure thing in Melancon.
Sure, you'd like to free up a roster spot by dropping Melancon, but given how valuable he would be as a closer, let's wait for Grilli to get his legs under him first.