Vazquez (illness) is expected to pitch during Saturday's spring game against the Twins, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez has been day-to-day since he was unable to make his scheduled appearance Tuesday due to an upper-respiratory infection. Given the minimal absence for the 27-year-old, his status for Opening Day shouldn't be impacted.

Vazquez won't make his scheduled appearance Tuesday against the Orioles due to an upper-respiratory infection, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez is considered day to day. Barring setbacks, he'll have more than enough time to get up to speed by Opening Day and shouldn't have any threats to his closer job.

Vazquez made his Grapefruit League debut Saturday, striking out two batters in a scoreless fourth inning against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

He struggled during spring training last year but had no such trouble Saturday. His 2018 peripherals (2.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) worsened from 2017 (1.67 ERA, 0.89 WHIP), but he remains secure in his position as Pittsburgh's closer. The team did add Keone Kela at the trade deadline, but Kela figures to serve as a set-up man. Kela saved 24 games for Texas in 2018 and could give Vazquez the occasional day off.

Vazquez recorded a pair of strikeouts in a 1-2-3 inning to earn his 37th save of the season Sunday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez finished the game in dominant fashion, throwing eight of 11 pitches for strikes as he mowed down the side in order. After some struggles to begin the season, Vazquez rebounded to finish with a superb 2.70 ERA to go along with an 11.4 K/9. He's under contract for the next two years and should remain a solid fantasy option for a Pirates team that seems to be on the up and up.

Vazquez gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 36th save of the season in a 3-0 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw has shown signs of fatigue down the stretch, posting a 4.50 ERA through 10 innings in September, but he's still been able to convert seven of his eight save chances on the month. With eight games remaining on the Pirates' schedule, Vazquez has an outside shot at his first career 40-save campaign.

Vazquez struck out one batter while earning his 34th save despite allowing two solo home runs in Sunday's 3-2 win over Milwaukee.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez entered the game with a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning and immediately gave up back-to-back shots to Jesus Aguilar and Domingo Santana. Still, the 27-year-old has now converted 24 straight save chances, making him 34-for-38 on the season.

Vazquez gave up two hits and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his 33rd save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez has been outstanding in the second half, posting a 1.66 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB in 21.2 innings while going a perfect 10-for-10 on save chances since the All-Star break. The southpaw should be good for a few more saves over the final weeks as he closes the book on a highly successful first full season as the Bucs' closer.

Vazquez picked up his 32nd save of the season Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on three hits and one walk across two innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez entered the game with two runners on and no outs in the eighth inning and proceeded to allow one run to score on a single and an RBI fielder's choice. He allowed a run on two singles in the ninth inning before striking out the final two batters of the game to secure the victory. Vazquez has now converted all three of his save chances this month despite allowing a run in two of those appearances.

Vazquez tossed a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one as he notched the save Friday against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez allowed the tying run to reach the plate, but he'd retire the final three batters to close out the victory. He's in no danger of losing his role as the closer, posting a 2.55 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 77 punchouts through 60 innings this season.

Vazquez locked down the save Wednesday, working around a hit to pitch a scoreless inning against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez got two quick outs before a two-out double brought the tying run to the plate, but he was able to get out of it unscathed for his 28th save. With Pittsburgh starting to falter a bit, the lefty hasn't seen as much action of late -- it was just his second save opportunity over the last three weeks -- but he remains one of the top ninth inning options with a 2.57 ERA and 72:19 K:BB over 56 innings.