Pittsburgh Pirates closer Jason Grilli was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right forearm.
Pittsburgh activated second baseman Neil Walker to fill the spot on the 25-man roster. Walker has been sidelined with a strained oblique. He has a .244 batting average with six home runs in 72 games.
Grilli is leading the National League with 30 saves. He has a 2.34 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings.
The Pirates can lean on Mark Melancon, who has been a consistent closer before, notching 20 saves in 25 chances with the Astros in 2011. Manager Clint Hurdle said earlier in the season Melancon’s value was in the fact that he was battle-tested and never blinks when facing adversity.
Melancon has 37 strikeouts and six walks with a 0.97 ERA this season.