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The Braves have signed relief pitcher Jason Grilli to a two-year contract with a third year club option, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Jon Heyman adds that the deal is worth a total of around $8 million. The 37-year-old was traded mid-season last year from the Pirates to the Angels and finished 2014 with a 4.00 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 54 innings.
Grilli was a very successful closer for Pittsburgh in 2013, racking up 30 saves and a 2.70 ERA, but he will likely be used in a setup role for Craig Kimbrel for the Braves next season. Earlier in the offseason, the Braves dealt former setup man Jordan Walden along with Jason Heyward to the Cardinals in return for Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins.
Grilli was not quite as effective as Walden was for the Atlanta bullpen in 2014, but if he can return to pitching like he did with the Pirates from 2011 through 2013, the Braves will once again have a dominant late-inning duo.