Angels Trade Closer Ernesto Frieri To Pirates For Jason Grilli

 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CBSLA.com/AP) -- The Los Angeles Angels acquired veteran Jason Grilli from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday for fellow reliever Ernesto Frieri in an attempt to solidify the back end of their bullpen.

The 37-year-old Grilli was struggled with his command this season, and was 0-2 with a 4.87 ERA and 11 saves in 22 appearances. But he was pivotal to the Pirates' resurgence last year, when he piled up 33 saves and had a 2.70 ERA in helping the club to a 94-68 record.

Grilli is expected to join the Angels in Kansas City on Saturday.

Frieri had a career-best 37 saves for Los Angeles last year, but the 28-year-old right-hander is just 0-3 with 6.39 ERA and 11 saves in 34 appearances this season.

For the meantime, Joe Smith will fill in for the Angels' closer. He is 2-0 with 7 saves and an ERA of 3.03.