Manager Clint Hurdle mentioned Nicasio or Felipe Rivero as a potential replacement for Tony Watson if the team decides to switch closers, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hurdle said that there would be no joint bullpen to close out games. "Most of the time, it's closer-by-committee if you don't have a closer," Hurdle said. "I think we've got two guys to look at, if Watson's not the closer, at least to consider." Rivero has put together one of the strongest relief campaigns in 2017 and is likely the front-runner, but Pittsburgh could continue to deploy him in the highest-leverage situations, leaving him out of the running for saves. Nicasio has one save in seven seasons, while Rivero has three saves in three years.