PITTSBURGH — Tony Watson is no longer the Pirates’ closer — at least for now.
That was the message manager Clint Hurdle delivered to reporters Friday afternoon. Hurdle had said after Watson blew two consecutive saves in Baltimore that he would re-evaluate the situation, and what he’s come up with seems to be a solid solution.
Felipe Rivero will be used in the highest-leverage situations, whether that comes in the seventh, eighth or ninth innings. Joining him in the back-end of the bullpen will be Juan Nicasio, who will provide a right-handed foil and fill in one of the other spots in the late innings.