Just hours after he received the "vote of confidence" from manager Clint Hurdle after Tuesday's blown save, Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Tony Watson went out and blew another save hours later. Now change arrives as Hurdle announced on Friday that Watson is no longer the team's closer and will be replaced by a committee of Juan Nicasio and Felipe Rivero.
The move needed to happen. Watson's consecutive blown saves on Tuesday and Wednesday night ran the total on the year up to five, which included four straight blown save opportunities.
Watson, who the Pirates likely hoped to trade come July to a contender in need of a strong, lefty reliever, didn't deliver on Pittsburgh's expectations. Across 26 1/3 innings this season, the 32-year-old southpaw posted a 1.52 WHIP, 2.73 BB/9 and 2.05 HR/9. Now he'll move into low-leverage situations with the hope that less pressure and a little more time off allows him to fix some of his issues.
Pittsburgh's move immediately upgrades its closer situation. Rivero, who the team acquired in the Mark Melancon trade last season, is destroying opposing hitters this season. In 31 innings out of the bullpen, Rivero has struck out 28.8 percent of batters faced and walked just 5.1 percent of hitters. Pair that with the low home run totals, two home runs allowed across 118 batters faced, and you understand why he holds a 0.58 ERA and 2.72 xFIP.
While he should see the larger percentage of save opportunities, the southpaw will still have to share with Nicasio. The 30-year-old righty's 1.35 ERA and 25/8 K/BB ratio across 26 2/3 innings this season is evidence of the great work the coaching staff has done with the former starting pitcher.
From a fantasy side, you'll want to pick up Rivero if he is still available. While Pittsburgh won't be a contender and this the save opportunities will be limited, his strikeout rates paired with the new gig are fantasy worthy.