Pittsburgh waited until Saturday to take advantage of September roster expansion, as they wanted to leave the extra players with their minor league affiliates, all of which I believe took part in the playoffs at their respective levels. With all of the minor league playoffs completed, the Pirates called up J.J. Davis, Bobby Hill, LHP John Grabow, Duaner Sanchez, and Ryan Vogelsong.

Pittsburgh drafted Grabow out of high school with their third round pick in the 1997 draft. He worked his way through the system and spent a full season at AA in 2000 before undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery in October of that year. He pitched at several levels while rehabbing in 2001 and then settled at AA Altoona in the Eastern League for a second full season last year. The 24-year-old began the 2003 season back at AA, as the Pirates decided to move him to relief. He received a July promotion to AAA Nashville, where he compiled a 26:7 K:BB with 31 H and 0 HR allowed in 24.2 IP for a 4.74 ERA over 17 appearances.

Grabow made his major league debut in relief of Salomon Torres in the second inning of Pittsburgh's September 14th game against Philadelphia. Unfortunately, he allowed singles to the first three batters he faced, Rickey Ledee, Todd Pratt, and Chase Utley, before Nick Punto flew out to right to end the inning. Returning in the third, he allowed three more singles but also recorded his first major league K, when Ledee struck out swinging. When Bobby Hill pinch-hit for him in the top of the third, Grabow left the game having compiled a 1:0 K:BB with 6 H and 0 HR allowed in 1.1 IP for a 13.50 ERA.

Unfortunately, GM Dave Littlefield evidently has not effectively conveyed to McClendon the club's new focus. Despite having a good portion of his team traded away, Manager Lloyd McClendon doesn't plan to give the younger guys playing time unless he feels it optimizes Pittsburgh's chances of winning the games they're playing now. Consequently, while Grabow should be auditioning for a place as a lefty reliever in next year's pen, he likely won't make many appearances before the end of the year.