10:15am: Pirates GM Neal Huntington commented on Grilli to MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch: "We are aware Jason has been released to pursue a Major League opportunity. We are interested and optimistic, but conversations continue." Langosch says the Pirates are expected to announce the deal tonight or Thursday, and Grilli just needs to pass his physical.
7:12am: The Pirates appear to have landed righty reliever Jason Grilli, based on the pitcher's tweet: "Black & Yellow! Black & Yellow! Black & Yellow! Cannot wait to join the new squadron."
Grilli, 34, has a 1.93 ERA, 11.8 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, and 0.6 HR/9 in 32 2/3 innings for the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate this year. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that the Phillies were on the clock, as Grilli had an out clause that allowed him to take a Major League offer from another team if the Phils didn't promote him within three days of that offer. Grilli adds depth for the Pirates, who Rosenthal believes are also seeking "an established eighth-inning reliever."
The Bucs will have to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Grilli. One solution could be transferring reliever Evan Meek to the 60-day DL, as Meek hit the 15-day on June 10th.
