Watson will take over as the Pirates' closer with Mark Melancon traded to the Nationals on Saturday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

It sounds like everyone will move up a rung with Melancon shipped out to Washington, with Watson taking over in the ninth inning and Neftali Feliz inheriting primary setup duties. Watson is a lefty and right-handed hitters have hit for a bit more power against Watson this year, but he's still holding right-handed hitters to just a .190 average. He's posted a 13 percent swinging-strike rate overall this season, relying mostly on a fastball/changeup combo, and he has allowed just one in his last 20 appearances after a shaky stretch to begin June.