Evan Meek said his hand is "feeling good" and that he expects to throw in the next couple days.

Meek gave the Pirates quite a scare Sunday when he was hit in the right hand by a Ryan Braun comebacker in the eighth inning. Fortunately, X-rays did not reveal a fracture. Look for him to return to action later this week, which at least puts Joel Hanrahan in the catbird seat for saves chances in the short-term, if there are any.

Evan Meek was dealing with pain in his right calf when he suffered a rare meltdown in the loss to the Astros Friday.

"My velocity wasn't down," Meek said. "It might have looked like I was in discomfort. There was discomfort. But it wasn't [preventing] me from throwing a ball." The right-hander said that at this time of the year, he has "some aches and pains like everybody else." It's admirable that Meek insists on pitching through this minor ailment, but hopeful his performance won't continue to suffer. Joel Hanrahan is probably the guy to bet on for saves in Pittsburgh right now, though he has struggled lately, as well.

Evan Meek took a loss against the Astros Friday night after giving up four earned runs while getting one out in the eighth inning.

Meek was called upon with the Pirates nursing a one-run lead in the eighth and he imploded badly. Although Meek has been spectacular this season, tonight won't help him get save chances. Joel Hanrahan has a decent grip on the closer's job right now.

Pirates manager John Russell wouldn't say Saturday who will close in Pittsburgh now that Octavio Dotel is traded.

It's between Evan Meek and Joel Hanrahan, and it really could go either way. Dotel was dealt to the Dodgers right before Saturday's non-waiver trade deadline for minor league outfielder Andrew Lambo and starter James McDonald. It'd be wise to grab both Meek and Hanrahan, if room can be made. Meek has the better stats, but the Pirates have liked using him for more than just one inning.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suspects that Evan Meek and Joel Hanrahan will split closing duties if Octavio Dotel is traded.

The Bucs are believed to be shopping Dotel, who has posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 20 saves in 25 chances this season, but no deal is imminent. The non-waiver trade deadline is Saturday, July 31, so talks will need to pick up this week. Hanrahan and Meek have been excellent in setup this year.

The Pirates' Evan Meek gave up a single to Ryan Braun to lose Friday's game in the tenth inning.

Meek didn't have a terrible inning. He gave up a single and then Rickie Weeks stole a base to get into scoring position for the decisive hit. Otherwise, it was a fine night for a good-looking young reliever. Meek will still battle Joel Hanrahan for the closer's role if/when Octavio Dotel gets traded out of town. All three pitchers actually gave up a run each, so it's hard to say if any Pirates reliever made a good impression on the night.

Evan Meek earned his third win in relief with a scoreless eighth inning Monday against the Cubs.

Meek came into a 1-1 game and got the decision after the Pirates scored in the bottom of the eighth and Octavio Dotel protected a one-run lead in the ninth. Dotel's recent success means the Pirates won't be switching closers anytime soon. However, Dotel is a strong candidate to be traded this summer and Meek would be the heavy favorite to step in.

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that "many associated with the team" feel that it's only a matter of time before Evan Meek is the closer.

Meek has been nearly perfect this season, allowing just one run over 17 innings this season (0.53 ERA), posting a 15/7 K/BB ratio. Octavio Dotel has notched two straight scoreless save chances after allowing runs in six consecutive appearances, so his job appears to be pretty safe for now, but look for the Pirates to try to trade him around the deadline.

Evan Meek pitched a perfect ninth Thursday to earn his first career save in the Pirates' 2-0 win over the Dodgers.

Octavio Dotel was due a night off after pitching two innings on Wednesday, so Meek was the obvious choice to close. He's allowed just one run in 15 innings to open the season, and he'll be a candidate for more saves if Dotel continues to falter.