Grilli will serve as the Braves' closer to begin the season, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

This was widely expected after the club traded Craig Kimbrel to San Diego on Sunday, but manager Fredi Gonzalez confirmed Monday that Grilli will close with Jim Johnson serving in a setup role. As the next in line, Johnson will likely get some opportunities on days when Grilli is off.

The Braves traded Craig Kimbrel to the Padres on Sunday. The Braves haven't announced a new closer yet, but Grilli has the most closing experience remaining on the roster.

Grilli struggled early last season, but he recovered nicely after getting dealt to the Angels. He'll be a bottom-tier closer on the Braves, but he's got the best chance on that team of getting the saves.

Grilli agreed to a two-year contract with the Braves on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports.

An All-Star in 2013, Grilli battled an oblique injury en route to a 4.87 ERA and 1.62 ERA in 22 appearances with the Pirates to begin 2014, losing his job as closer in the process. He was able to recoup some value after being dealt to the Angels in late June (3.48 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), and will now head to Atlanta to compete with Jim Johnson, David Carpenter and Shae Simmons for the top right-handed setup role behind Craig Kimbrel.

Grilli allowed two runs on two hits in an inning of work Friday, resulting in his fourth loss of the season against the A's.

Grilli relieved Hector Santiago in the sixth inning of a tie game Friday, and allowed a triple and a sacrifice fly to pick up his second loss of the season as a member of the Angels. Despite the rough outing, Grilli has performed well with his new squad, tallying a 2.78 earned-run average in 22.2 innings.

Grilli worked a clean inning with a strikeout to notch his 12th save of the season against the Red Sox on Thursday.

Grilli tallied his first save as a member of the Halos Thursday, as an overworked Houston Street received a night off. The 37-year-old has been a solid reliever this season, having not allowed an earned run in his last nine appearances, but has little chance seeing save opportunities when Street is available.

Angels acquired RHP Jason Grilli in exchange for RHP Ernesto Frieri.

It's a swap of struggling right-handed relievers who were recently demoted from their respective closer's roles. The change of scenery should be a welcomed change for each hurler, though they are each likely to begin in setup roles with their new ballclubs. Should Grilli pitch well in his first few outings, it's conceivable that he could work his way into the mix for save chances.

Jason Grilli has been removed from the Pirates' closer role.

Manager Clint Hurdle indicated Thursday that Grilli might be on thin ice, and he's now officially decided to make a change. The 37-year-old has allowed five runs on eight hits and five walks over his last 6 2/3 innings of work, pushing his ERA up to 4.34. Mark Melancon will take over as the Pirates' primary closer, though Tony Watson could also receive the occasional save chance.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle indicated Thursday that Jason Grilli's status as the closer will be evaluated.

Hurdle didn't say that Grilli was being removed from the role, but he didn't offer a strong defense either. The 37-year-old hasn't been nearly as dominant this season and has allowed five runs on eight hits (including two home runs) and five walks over 6 2/3 innings of work, so it might be time to give him a break, at least for a little while. Mark Melancon is worth stashing in most fantasy leagues.

Jason Grilli gave up a solo homer to Devin Mesoraco in the ninth inning Thursday to blow a save against the Reds.

While it was his first blown save since way back on April 20, Grilli simply hasn't looked right this month. He has allowed five runs on eight hits (including two home runs) and five walks over 6 2/3 innings of work. Mark Melancon continues to pitch well and filled in admirably as the closer earlier this year, so Grilli could soon find himself on the hot seat in Pittsburgh.

Jason Grilli fell to 0-2 after allowing a tie-breaking solo home run in the top of the ninth in Tuesday's loss to the Reds.

Grilli was victimized by Todd Frazier, who took him out to center field to put the Reds on top 6-5. The 37-year-old reliever hasn't been automatic since returning from the disabled list on May 23. On the season, Grilli owns a 4.08 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and a 17/10 K/BB ratio in 17 2/3 innings.

Jason Grilli picked up a one-out save in the Pirates' defeat of the Marlins on Saturday in Miami.

Grilli was part of an ugly ninth inning on Friday night, but he put a stop to another Marlins rally today. The right-hander has 11 saves on the season for Pittsburgh.

Jason Grilli was pulled after allowing one hit and three walks in the ninth inning against the Marlins on Friday.

It was a nightmare inning for the Pirates, as Justin Wilson, Grilli, and Mark Melancon combined to give up four runs on one hit and six walks to send the game to extras. Grilli ended up being charged with two runs. Melancon was credited with the blown save after he walked in the tying run, but he managed to strike out Marcello Ozuna to get out of the jam. The Pirates eventually won the game in 13 innings.

Jason Grilli was able to escape from a dangerous situation and picked up his eighth save of the season in Sunday's victory over the Dodgers.

The veteran right-hander made things interesting by issuing a pair of two-out walks to Justin Turner and Jamie Romak, and an RBI single to Scott Van Slyke that put the tying runs on base, before he got Dee Gordon to line out to end the ballgame. He has been re-installed as the Pirates primary option in the ninth inning, but if he struggles they could easily turn back to Mark Melancon who excelled while Grilli was sidelined.

Jason Grilli returned to the closer's role with a scoreless ninth inning to close out a 6-3 win over the Dodgers on Thursday.

Grilli served up a ground-rule double to Justin Turner but otherwise went undisturbed. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle announced on Thursday that Grilli would get his closer's job back, shifting Mark Melancon back into the eighth inning. That's where Melancon pitched a scoreless frame tonight, bridging things to Grilli. The veteran closer has struck out at least one batter in eight straight appearances. Grilli shouldn't get too comfortable in the ninth inning, as Melancon has been one of the league's best relievers this year.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle on Thursday said that Jason Grilli will resume his role as the team's closer.

Mark Melancon had been handling the ninth inning while Grilli eased back into things in his return from the disabled list. "He's ready to go," Hurdle said, "and everyone will move up accordingly. The biggest challenge will be to help Jason with his health -- this being his second injury."

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle on Tuesday reiterated his desire to get Jason Grilli back in the closer role at some point.

However, he's not sure yet when it will happen. Grilli notched a save in his first appearance back from the disabled list last week, but Hurdle evidently wasn't crazy about how the closer looked. Mark Melancon has received both save chances since. "I don't have a date," Hurdle said. "I think we use our eyes on his next opportunity that he gets. Just look -- look at the pitch crispness. He's not going to be far away. But I would like to get him out there another time before we make any kind of statement or get the bullpen together and proclaim roles."

Making his return from the disabled list, Jason Grilli (oblique) tossed a scoreless ninth inning Friday to notch a save against the Nationals.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said earlier in the day that Grilli was unlikely to get a save chance right away, but he didn't waste any time. Grilli got the save, but he owes an assist to Josh Harrison, who made an excellent leaping catch at the right field wall to rob Ian Desmond for the final out. He struck out one and walked one in the frame. Mark Melancon pitched well while Grilli was on the disabled list, but look for him to move back into a set-up role for Pittsburgh.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Friday that he would not use Jason Grilli in a potential save situation.

"I really doubt under any circumstances Jason would get ball in ninth inning," Hurdle said. Grilli has missed the last month with a oblique ailment, and the Pirates want to ease him back into things. With Mark Melancon unavailable due to recent use, Bryan Morris is likely to get the save chance if one comes up.

Pirates activated RHP Jason Grilli from the 15-day disabled list.

Grilli wasn't expected to be activated until Saturday, but the Pirates decided to go ahead and make the move a day early. It's not clear whether the club plans to immediately re-install Grilli as the closer or if they'll ease him back into action. Mark Melancon has been filling in.

Jason Grilli (oblique) is expected to return Saturday.

Grilli threw a successful 20-pitch simulated inning on Wednesday and deemed himself ready for major league action. He has been out since April 21 due to a left oblique strain, with Mark Melancon filling in at closer. Grilli could be eased back into ninth-inning duties, so Melancon is still worth carrying in fantasy leagues.