Frieri collected a 13th-inning save Wednesday, working around a hit for a scoreless frame. He's picked up a couple rogue saves now, this one because Brad Boxberger pitched the 10th inning. Boxberger's under no threat from Frieri, but it's worth noting that the veteran righty is Tampa's second choice while Jake McGee remains shelved.

Frieri picked up a save Sunday against the Marlins while giving up a run on two hits -- including a home run -- over 1.1 innings against Miami. Entering play Sunday, Brad Boxberger had pitched on four out of the previous five days, including back-to-back appearances Friday and Saturday. Kevin Jepsen was also rested in order to avoid a workload that was too heavy, so consider Frieri to be at least one seat away from working the ninth inning if an injury befalls Boxberger prior to the eventual return of Jake McGee.

Frieri has made three appearances so far this spring, surrendering one hit and three walks while collecting a couple of strikeouts over three scoreless innings. After racking up 60 saves across 2012 and 2013, Frieri struggled mightily while pitching for both the Angels and Pirates last season. The Rays' brought the once dominant righty to Tampa Bay on a one-year, $800,000 contract back in November with hopes of a rebound under the guidance pitching coach Jim Hickey. Though Frieri's control has left a bit to be desired, the results have been mostly promising to this point. The 29-year-old hurler seems likely to head into the regular season in a middle-relief role for the Rays.

Frieri signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Rays on Wednesday. Frieri was released by the Pirates in early September, and remained a free agent for the remainder of the season. The Rays have decided to take a chance on him, but signed him on a highly-incentived contract, with a chance to make up to $2 million next season if he pitches well enough. He will compete for a spot in the Rays' bullpen in spring training.

Frieri has been released by the Pirates, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports. Frieri came to Pittsburgh in a trade for former closer Jason Grilli, but didn't do enough to justify the Pirates keeping him at his current salary. Less than a year from being removed from being the closer for the Angels, Frieri is now a free agent and will have to look for work where he can find it.

Frieri accepted his assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Frieri was designated for assignment by the Pirates last week, and he opted to remain with the team rather than seek an opportunity elsewhere. Frieri was tagged for 12 earned runs over 10.2 innings with the Pirates, but given his big league experience, there is a decent chance he returns to Pittsburgh when rosters expand in September.

Frieri was designated for assignment Friday, the Pittsburgh Tribune's Rob Biertempfel reports. Other than pitching terribly (10.13 ERA in 10.2 innings), the only think Frieri has done of note since being traded from the Angels to the Pirates was to hit Paul Goldschmidt with a pitch, ending his season and subsequently leading to Andrew McCutchen's status for the next month being in doubt after the Diamondbacks retaliated. Considering how poorly he has been this season, he may in fact clear waivers, but it's also likely that he would decline the assignment and become a free agent in that case.

Ernesto Frieri walked both of the batters he faced in the 10th inning Saturday versus the Reds.Luckily for the Pirates, left-hander Justin Wilson was able to eliminate that threat. Pittsburgh went on to win in the bottom of the 10th. Frieri has allowed 11 baserunners and recorded only 12 outs since joining the Bucs. He's not going to see a save opportunity anytime soon.

Ernesto Frieri walked both of the batters he faced in the 10th inning Saturday versus the Reds. Luckily for the Pirates, left-hander Justin Wilson was able to eliminate that threat. Pittsburgh went on to win in the bottom of the 10th. Frieri has allowed 11 baserunners and recorded only 12 outs since joining the Bucs. He's not going to see a save opportunity anytime soon.

Pirates acquired RHP Ernesto Frieri from the Angels in exchange for RHP Jason Grilli. Both hurlers began the season as the closer for their respective squads, and each lost their role recently due to ineffectiveness. Frieri will work in a setup capacity with the Pirates, but with Mark Melancon locking down the ninth inning and Tony Watson excelling in the eighth, it's unlikely that Frieri sees any save chances in the immediate future.