Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Thu 4/28/16 1:40 PM

Nicasio was scheduled to take the mound Thursday against Colorado, but the game has been rained out, Jenny Cavnar of Root Sports reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Pirates have not announced if they'll make any changes to the rotation, but as of now Nicasio will likely be pushed back to Friday, when Pittsburgh opens a six-game homestand against the Reds. A makeup date for Thursday's game is yet to be announced.

Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Sun 4/24/16 12:56 AM

Nicasio (2-2) didn't pitch poorly, but was saddled with the loss, allowing two runs on three hits over five innings against the Diamondbacks on Saturday. He also struck out four and walked four.
EDGE Analysis
He left with just a 2-1 deficit, but the Pirates bullpen blew up again, and Pittsburgh fell 7-1. After allowing just one run and two hits in his Pirates debut, Nicasio has taken a little step back, yielding nine runs over his three most recent outings (5.79 ERA). His biggest problem is 11 walks in the last 14 frames. Nicasio is scheduled to make his next start against his former team in Colorado.

Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Mon 4/18/16 7:43 AM

Nicasio (2-1) survived a poor fourth inning to pick up the win Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings while striking out six as the Pirates downed the Brewers 9-3.
EDGE Analysis
He began the game with three perfect innings, but his concentration wavered after the Pirates staked him to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the third, and Milwaukee struck back for three runs in the fourth. Nicasio shook it off and closed out his day with two more scoreless frames before hitting the showers after 95 pitches (59 strikes). He now has a strong 17:7 K:BB through 15 innings and three starts to begin his Pittsburgh tenure, but his 4.80 ERA is a sign that pitching coach Ray Searage's magic hasn't quite taken hols with Nicasio just yet. He'll have a tough matchup in his next start Saturday, on the road against Arizona.

Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Tue 4/12/16 5:15 PM

Nicasio (1-1) allowed four runs on six hits and five walks while striking out four over three innings, and took the loss Tuesday at the Tigers.
EDGE Analysis
Not only did Nicasio struggle with his control, but when he was in the strike zone, he was very hittable, leading to him pile up 94 pitches in his three innings of work. He's posted a WHIP of at least 1.47 in each of the last four seasons, and his early results are not encouraging that he'll be able to turn that negative trend around anytime soon. He'll make his next start Sunday against the Brewers.

Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Wed 4/6/16 11:54 PM

Nicasio (1-0) struck out seven without a walk while allowing just two hits and one run (a solo homer) over six innings in Monday's win against Pittsburgh.
EDGE Analysis
If Nicasio's spectacular spring with tons of strikeouts wasn't enough to convince you that he's turned over a new leaf, this game should spark some regret in those who were skeptical about a Pittsburgh turnaround for the 29-year-old righty. It wasn't hard to be that way, considering the ugliness of Nicasio's career numbers and the fact that he spent essentially all of last season in the Dodgers' bullpen, but Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage's latest reclamation project looks ready to leave those struggles in the past.

Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Wed 3/30/16 4:23 PM

Nicasio will start the season in the Pirates' rotation, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nicasio's massive spring knocks Ryan Vogelsong out of the rotation and into the bullpen. Nicasio gave up no earned runs in 15 innings, striking out 24 against just five walks. After recording a career-best 3.86 ERA for the Dodgers last season, the 29-year-old may be finally putting it all together.

Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Sun 3/27/16 3:52 PM

Nicasio limited a team of Triple-A batters from the Blue Jays to one run in six innings Sunday. He gave up eight hits and two walks, striking out five, Adam Berry of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
EDGE Analysis
He threw 57 of 90 pitches for strikes and has outpitched both Ryan Vogelsong and Jeff Locke in spring training. The Pirates have not decided which of the three hurlers will slot into the fourth and fifth spots of the rotation, but Nicasio has thrown 15 scoreless innings with 24 strikeouts against major-league hitting. Pirates GM Neal Huntington is expected to speak on the matter later Sunday.

Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Mon 3/21/16 8:36 PM

Nicasio threw five shutout innings Monday, striking out eight while walking two.
EDGE Analysis
He's struck out 24 batters in 15 Grapefruit League innings and has yet to allow a run. Nicasio compiled a 5.03 ERA in four seasons with Colorado but lowered that mark to a 3.86 ERA in 58.1 innings as a reliever for the Dodgers in 2015. The 29-year-old struck out 65 batters with Los Angeles but walked 32. He profiles as the perfect reclamation project for the Pirates and pitching coach Ray Searage.

Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Mon 3/21/16 12:21 PM

Pirates GM Neal Huntington confirmed that Nicasio is in the running for the fourth or fifth starter's spot along with Jeff Locke and Ryan Vogelsong, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
EDGE Analysis
The comments mark the first time Huntington has gone on record saying Nicasio has a chance to crack the rotation Opening Day. The righty struck out 10 of 14 batters in his last start and if he puts together another dominant outing in his next game then he could get the starting nod. Either way, Nicasio will likely end up on the rotation; it's just a question of when. He represents the perfect upside type of hurler pitching coach Ray Searage has reinvigorated over the last several seasons.

Juan Nicasio
RP FA
Thu 3/17/16 11:18 AM

Nicasio, who struck out 10 batters in four scoreless frames Wednesday, continues to see his stock rise. "That kind of outing will get your attention," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
EDGE Analysis
Pittsburgh signed Nicasio to a one-year, $3 million deal over the winter, and the move could pay big dividends. While the righty is set to open the season in the bullpen, the team is stretching him out as a starter. "I'm working hard for a chance in the rotation, but I can't control all that," Nicasio said. "I'll try to do my job. I can't make that decision." With Ryan Vogelsong and Jeff Locke the only two starters blocking his path from the rotation, it's easy to envision Nicasio joining the starting staff -- provided his Grapefruit League success (10 shutout innings, 16 strikeouts) isn't a fluke.