Pirates sent RHP Evan Meek outright to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Meek was designated for assignment last Monday and surprisingly drew no claims on waivers. The 29-year-old has battled shoulder issues for the past couple seasons but was once regarded as a top setup man and potential closer.

Pirates designated RHP Evan Meek for assignment.

Meek was once considered a top setup man, but he's thrown just 32 2/3 innings since the start of the 2012 season because of shoulder injuries and hasn't been all that effective when healthy. The 29-year-old right-hander could draw mild interest on waivers.

Pirates optioned RHP Evan Meek to Triple-A Indianapolis.

He's clearing the way for Starling Marte's addition to the roster. Meek has posted 6.75 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 12 appearances for the Pirates this season.

Pirates recalled RHP Evan Meek from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Meek made a brief appearance with the Pirates earlier this season and will provide bullpen depth while Juan Cruz (shoulder) is sidelined. Look for him to be used in low-leverage situations.

Pirates optioned RHP Evan Meek to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Meek was just recalled Wednesday but allowed three runs in just one inning of work in his lone appearance. He should be back up eventually.

Pirates recall RHP Evan Meek from Triple-A Indianapolis.

The Pirates have swapped one disappointment for another, basically. Meek was demoted late last month after posting a 5.59 ERA and 6/1 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings, but he at least showed some signs of life in the minors by tossing six scoreless innings. Look for him to be eased back into action in low-leverage situations before being trusted in the late innings again.

Evan Meek was tagged for four runs -- three earned -- in two-thirds of an inning by the Blue Jays on Sunday.

The Pirates are hoping Meek bounces back from last year's shoulder problems to take over as their eighth-inning guy in front of Joel Hanrahan, but this isn't the most promising of starts. He allowed three hits, walked two and struck out none.

The Pirates and RHP Evan Meek avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $875,000 contract.

Meek was arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter. The 28-year-old right-hander was limited to just 24 relief appearances last season due to a shoulder injury, posting a 3.48 ERA and 17/12 K/BB ratio across 20 2/3 innings. He'll function as a set-up man for closer Joel Hanrahan in 2012.

Pirates activated RHP Evan Meek from the 60-day disabled list.

Meek hasn't appeared in a major league since early June due to a shoulder injury. The hard-throwing setup man should be able to finish strong down the stretch.

Evan Meek (shoulder) is scheduled to make another rehab appearance Wednesday at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Meek has not been scored upon since beginning his rehab assignment and should be back in the Pirates' bullpen by the end of this week. The hard-throwing setup man had a rough 4.40 ERA and 1.88 WHIP in 14 1/3 big league innings earlier this year. He'll try to finish strong.

Evan Meek's (shoulder) rehab assignment has been moved up to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Meek made two scoreless appearances for Single-A Bradenton, showing he was ready to get bumped up. He should be able to rejoin the Pirates bullpen sometime in early September.

Evan Meek (shoulder) threw a scoreless minor league rehab inning Sunday with Single-A Bradenton.

Meek gave up one hit but also recorded a strikeout in his rehab debut. The hard-throwing setup man has been sidelined since June 7 with a shoulder injury and is currently on the 60-day disabled list. He's aiming to return to the major league bullpen in early September.

Evan Meek (shoulder) is scheduled to throw one inning at Class-A Bradenton on Sunday.

Meek has been sidelined since June 7 and is on the 60-day disabled list. He isn't likely to rejoin the Pirates before September.

Evan Meek (shoulder) will throw an inning of batting practice on Friday.

If all goes well, he'll throw two more innings on Monday. On the 60-day disabled list, Meek has been sidelined since June 7. He isn't likely to rejoin the Pirates before September.

Evan Meek is scheduled to throw 35 pitches on Friday and Monday, then batting practice next Thursday.

If everything runs smoothly, Meek could be cleared to begin a minor league rehab assignment by next weekend. The setup man has been out of commission since early June with tendinitis in his right shoulder.

Pirates transferred RHP Evan Meek from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

He was cleared to make room for the newly-signed Jason Grilli on the active roster. Meek has been sidelined since early June with right shoulder tendinitis and only recently began a throwing program.

Evan Meek (shoulder) has begun a throwing program.

He's likely just playing catch at this point, with a bullpen sessions, simulated games and a rehab assignment next on the list. There's no timetable for his return, as the Pirates will take it slowly with him given that he's dealt with shoulder issues most of the year.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Evan Meek is still in the "strengthening phase" of his recovery from shoulder tendinitis.

It's not clear when Meek will resume throwing. He's been out since early June with his shoulder injury, but his issue dates back to April. Consider him out indefinitely.

Pirates activated RHP Evan Meek from the 15-day disabled list.

Meek was placed on the disabled list at the end of April with right shoulder tendinitis. He posted a 5.63 ERA over his first 11 appearances this season and had lost velocity on his fastball. We'll soon see if the time off served him well. If he resumes pitching like he did last year, he'll return to his role as setup man for Joel Hanrahan.

The Pirates are planning to activate Evan Meek (shoulder) from the disabled list on Tuesday.

Meek has spent the past week pitching in rehab games with Triple-A Indianapolis. He will rejoin his Pirates teammates Sunday and then return fully on Tuesday.