Vazquez struck out two batters in a scoreless relief inning Sunday against Miami.

EDGE Analysis

The closer entered the game with Pittsburgh leading by four runs in a non-save situation and after appearing both Saturday and Sunday, Vazquez may only be available to pitch to one or two batters -- if at all -- Monday against Colorado. Michael Feliz and George Kontos also pitched in the team's last two games, opening the possibility that someone like Edgar Santana or Tyler Glasnow might be called upon to throw in high-leverage situations Monday.

Vazquez pitched a clean ninth inning to record his fifth save of the season Saturday against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Vazquez didn't allow a baserunner in his latest outing Saturday and is now 5-for-5 in save opportunities this season. He's locked in as the team's closer and is one of the steadier options for saves as a result.

After allowing four earned runs on Opening Day, Vazquez has strung together five straight scoreless outings covering 5.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

He's thrown harder in each outing since averaging 96.7 mph in the opener. Vazquez's overall velocity is still down a bit from last year (98.8 mph to 97.2 mph) but so long as he throws strikes -- he's walked one batter since walking three on Opening Day -- he figures to maintain status as an elite closer.

Vazquez threw 1.1 shutout innings and earned his fourth save of the year Tuesday as the Pirates beat the Cubs 8-5.

EDGE Analysis

During his time in Tuesday's contest, Vazquez gave up one hit and issued a walk while striking out one batter. The southpaw has converted all four of his save opportunities this season and has thrown 4.1 straight shutout innings since allowing four runs in his first outing of the season.

Rivero legally changed his last name to Vazquez in honor of his sister, Elizabeth Bloom of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The change has no impact on Vazquez's fantasy value, but owners will want to take note of the switch to avoid any confusion. Although he's allowed four runs over just four games (3.2 innings), Vazquez has converted all three of his save opportunities so far this season.

Rivero picked up his third-straight save in a 5-2 win against the Reds on Thursday, allowing a hit and logging a strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Rivero melted down and allowed four runs in his first appearance of the season but he's been back to his lights-out self ever since and now already has three saves on the 2018 campaign. His 9.82 ERA and 1.64 WHIP still look ugly thanks to that first-game implosion but Rivero established himself as one of the elite closers in the league last year and his numbers figure to even out as he accumulates more appearances.

Rivero collected his second save Sunday, striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning of Game 2.

EDGE Analysis

He allowed an inherited runner to score via Miguel Cabrera's double but otherwise registered a clean outing. Rivero rebounded well from his disastrous performance Friday. He found the strike zone with his fastball and touched 98 mph. The closer may not be available Monday after throwing 30 pitches while pitching in both games of Sunday's sweep.

Rivero struck out the side and didn't allow a baserunner to record his first save of the season during Sunday's 1-0 win over Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

After a poor showing on Opening Day, this was a nice rebound from the lefty. Rivero put it all together last season and posted an elite 1.67 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 while converting 21 of 23 save attempts. Assuming Friday's disastrous outing was nothing more than a hiccup, the closer should be viewed as a high-end option moving forward.

Rivero surrendered four earned runs while recording only two outs in a non-save situation Friday. He gave up one hit and three walks, striking out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

He entered the game with a ninth-inning, 10-6 lead, only to struggle with control. His 30-pitch outing -- which included only 13 strikes -- led to the early exit. Rivero seemed to be dealing with a mechanical problem, leaving his fastball high and outside arm-side, so it will be interesting to see how quickly he can make the necessary adjustments. The lefty's fastball velocity was also down (for him) to 96 mph. Certainly the cold weather contributed to his troubles, but the closer wasn't particularly effective this spring, either. Josh Smoker came on to pitch for Rivero, but not before allowing a game-tying double.

Although Rivero allowed a two-run homer in one inning Thursday, manager Clint Hurdle isn't concerned with his closer's spring performance. "I don't think it was a tough outing at all," Hurdle told DK Pittsburgh Sports. "I thought he had the best stuff he had all spring. Fastball velocity was the best it has been. Slider was the sharpest it's been."

EDGE Analysis

Rivero has given up 11 runs (four earned) in six spring innings, allowing seven hits (including two homers) and five walks with seven strikeouts. There's probably no reason to get overly concerned with his Grapefruit League numbers, but he did trend downwardly late in 2017. RIvero has a vice grip on Pittsburgh's closer's job: he just hasn't had a very strong spring.