MILWAUKEE _ The Mark Melancon era in Pittsburgh ended Saturday when the Pirates traded the three-time All-Star closer to the Washington Nationals for a pair of hard-throwing left-handers.
The return for Melancon will be reliever Felipe Rivero and prospect Taylor Hearn.
The Pirates have not confirmed the trade, which was confirmed to the Post-Gazette by a source. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal first reported the trade and Rivero's involvement. Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball reported Hearn's inclusion in the deal.
Rivero, 25, has a 4.53 ERA in 492/3 innings this season, a step back from his 2.79 mark last year. Rivero will not be arbitration-eligible until 2018 and won't reach free agency until 2022.
Hearn, 21, was drafted by the Nationals in the fifth round in 2015. The Pirates drafted him in the 22nd round in 2012 but did not sign him. Hearn had a 5.16 ERA this season for Class Low A Hagerstown.
Melancon's departure paves the way for left-hander Tony Watson to take over as the Pirates' closer.
