Vazquez (forearm) won't be available Monday against the Cubs but expects to be available for Tuesday's game, Elizabeth Bloom of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

He felt a little tightness in his forearm and could move his ring finger Sunday, but apparently won't require a DL stint. Vazquez has a 3.00 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, nine strikeouts and four saves in May, but has blown his las three save chances. Michael Feliz, Edgar Santana and Richard Rodriguez seem like the best bets to get a save if a chance arises in Monday's game.

Vazquez left Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals with left forearm discomfort, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez was able to record just one out in relief before being removed from the game. He also allowed a hit prior to leaving. It's unclear how severe his injury is, but he'll be considered day-to-day until more information on his status is released.

Vazquez blew his second save in as many outings Wednesday, allowing a pair of inherited runners to score via run-producing singles.

EDGE Analysis

He's increased his reliance on fastball usage (65.1 percent, up from 61.4 percent in 2017) while throwing fewer sliders (4 percent, down from 13.2 percent). Vazquez is also leaving runners on base at a career-low 61.5 percent rate. There are reasons to expect improvement but he's not quite as dominant as he was last season. On a positive note, after struggling in the eighth inning he breezed through the ninth, retiring the Reds in order.

Vazquez, who allowed three earned runs without retiring a batter Sunday, will look to rebound Tuesday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Following Sunday's tilt, Vazquez said he sprained his ankle fielding a bunt but remained in the game. The Pirates, meanwhile, haven't said that the injury would cause the closer to miss any time. Prior to his outing against San Diego, Vazquez had permitted just one earned run in his last 18 innings, covering 17 games. He's also managed to keep opponents scoreless in 16 of 19 outings, even though opposing batters are connecting at a 34.6 percent line-drive rate -- nearly doubling his 2017 rate (18.7 percent).

Vazquez (2-1) allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits without recording an out to blow the save and take the loss Sunday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez entered the game in the ninth inning with a one-run lead but failed to secure the win. He didn't allow an extra-base hit despite the ugly line, instead surrendering three singles to the first four batters he faced. He also wasn't helped by a throwing error by Jordy Mercer, which allowed the first of the four runs charged to him to score. This outing doesn't help his season-long stats, but this was his first blown save of the season and he is in no danger of losing his role as closer.

Vazquez struck out the side in a 1-2-3 inning Thursday to record his ninth save of the season.

EDGE Analysis

It took the southpaw just 13 pitches, 10 of which were strikes, to dispatch the Padres. Vazquez has tallied 21 strikeouts and seven walks in 18.2 innings while churning out a 2.41 ERA, and with the Pirates surprisingly occupying first place in the NL Central, preseason concerns that he might be traded appear to be waning.

Vazquez allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to pick up his eighth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

While the left-hander is a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances this season, he hasn't been the same dominant pitcher he was in the past. Vazquez didn't generate a single swinging strike among his nine pitches (seven strikes) Wednesday, and while his 9.2 K/9 through 17.2 innings this year is still solid, it's a step back from the double-digit rates he posted in 2016 and 2017. His spot as the Bucs' closer isn't in jeopardy, but it would be reassuring to see him overpowering hitters on a regular basis again.

Vazquez worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to collect his seventh save of the season in a 6-5 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander has yet to blow a save this year, posting a 3.00 ERA and 17:6 K:BB through 15 innings. Vazquez has only been scored upon in two of his 15 appearances, and the surprising Pirates figure to continue getting their closer plenty of save opportunities over the summer.

Vazquez threw 1.2 scoreless innings for a save Friday against the Brewers, striking out two and walking one with one hit allowed.

EDGE Analysis

This was the first time that Vazquez has pitched since April 27, and he got through 1.2 innings on just 20 pitches (15 for strikes). He's been slowly whittling down his ERA since his first appearance on the year, when he gave up four earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. Since then, Vazquez has had only one outing in which he's allowed a run. The 26-year-old is 6-for-6 in save chances, and has a 15:6 K:BB through 13 innings.

Vazquez (1-0) earned the win after tossing a scoreless ninth inning Thursday against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez loaded up the bases with no outs in the ninth inning - allowing a pair of singles and issuing a walk - but he was able to retire the next three batters to get out of the inning unscathed. Corey Dickerson knocked a walkoff homer in the bottom of the frame to give Vazquez his first win of the season. The 26-year-old now owns a 0.93 ERA and 11:2 K:BB through 10 appearances (9.2 innings) in April.