Evan Meek headed to the disabled list with shoulder weakness

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates will place reliever Evan Meek on the disabled list with right shoulder weakness.

And really, it’s a wonder they didn’t do this sooner. In addition to his weak shoulder, Meek has been fighting a virus for nearly the entire month of April. It would be thing if he was still effective, but the 27-year-old right-hander has a 5.63 ERA and 8/5 K/BB ratio over eight innings so far this season. With his strength diminished, it’s no surprise that his fastball is down a tick or two (93.4 mph) from last season (95.1 mph).

Meek and Joel Hanrahan were one of the best late-game tandems in the National League last season, so Pirates are hoping some rest will round him back into form.