Pirates place closer Jason Grilli on DL with oblique strain

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Jason Grilli already has three blown saves this season. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images) The Pittsburgh Pirates placed closer Jason

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Jason Grilli already has three blown saves this season.  (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed closer Jason Grilli on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain, the team announced.

The move is retroactive to April 21.

Grilli has not seen action since blowing saves in back-to-back games in last weekend's series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Mark Melancon will take over as the team's closer until Grilli is healthy enough to pitch.

Grilli, 37, is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA, four saves and seven strikeouts this season for the Pirates, who have lost three games in a row and are 2-8 in their last 10 games.

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