The Rangers acquired relief pitcher Jason Grilli from the Blue Jays on Sunday in exchange for minor league outfielder Eduard Pinto and cash considerations. Grilli has been hit hard this season, allowing 17 runs (16 earned) in 20 2/3 innings. While Grilli does have closer experience, his shaky record this season suggests that he will be used as depth in order for the club to move more freely in the ninth inning. Matt Bush lost his job as closer earlier this week after he blew his fifth save of the season against the Chicago White Sox.
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jason Grilli has been designated for assignment, ending what has been an awful tenure north of the border for the 40-year-old righty. Grilli has pitched 20 2/3 innings for the Jays this year and put forth an unsightly 6.97 ERA. Somehow, that's a pleasant site in comparison to his even more disastrous 7.89 FIP (but he also has a 3.97 SIERA – go figure?). In his place, reliever Chris Smith gets the call from Triple-A, who has pitched to a 3.93 ERA in 14 games for the Buffalo Bisons. He's not a fantasy option. This could be the end of the line for the aging Grilli, who owns a career 4.18 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over 665 1/3 career innings pitched.