The Pittsburgh Pirates released a statement today regarding injured closer Jason Grilli, who met today with team doctors and Dr. James Andrews. Grilli was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right arm, and is not a surgical candidate.
While not perceived to need surgery at the time, Grilli will need a period of rest before beginning a throwing program and will be re-evaluated in 10-14 days. In the meantime, Grilli will continue rest, treatment, and rehabilitation only.
There is no expected date for Grilli’s return, but an estimated return may be better clarified after his re-evaluation. Pitchers with this type of injury normally miss between four and eight weeks.
With that news, the revelation that the Pirates attended Brian Wilson’s throwing sessions may push the Pirates to make a move on the veteran closer. As discussed on Episode 14 of the Pirates Prospects Podcast and Tim Williams this afternoon, the addition of Wilson could only help the Pirates’ bullpen.
In addition, when it comes to MLB trade deadline rumors, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeted the Pirates are another team calling the Miami Marlins “often” regarding Giancarlo Stanton. But, like the Rangers, the answer remains no as a result of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria wanting to keep Stanton in Miami.
Pirates Prospects’ own James Santelli penned a column in June about why the Pirates should pull the trigger on a deal for Stanton, even if it would cost both Gregory Polanco and Jameson Taillon.
The move for Stanton would cost a lot even if Loria’s mind would change, but the Pirates would return arguably the game’s best right-fielder and between Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen, and Stanton have the best outfield in the league through 2016. But again, Stanton’s going nowhere as long as Loria wants him in Miami.
