Nicasio earned his fifth hold Wednesday, striking out one batter in a scoreless relief inning.

EDGE Analysis

Nicasio has compiled a 2.70 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 71:17 K:BB in 50 innings since the team sent him to the bullpen. The right-hander has become one of the team's most reliable relievers, flashing closer's stuff, though Tony Watson is not in jeopardy of losing his job. Nicasio has already set a major league record with at least one strikeout in his last 31 relief appearances.

Nicasio struck out two batters in two scoreless innings Saturday, improving to 10-6. He did not walk a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The righty has pitched much better since the team gave up on him as a starter. As a member of the rotation, Nicasio compiled a 5.05 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with a 63:25 K:BB in 62.1 innings. Throwing out of the bullpen, he's crafted a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 70:19 K:BB in 49 innings.

Nicasio (8-6) gave up an earned run on three hits over two innings in Saturday's 7-4 victory over the Phillies. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

With rookie Tyler Glasnow forced from the game after three-plus innings with shoulder discomfort, Nicasio came in to eat up some innings and ended up being credited with the victory. The former starter was sharp, throwing 28 of 38 pitches for strikes and notching first-pitch strikes on six of nine hitters. The 29-year-old has been solid in relief since his move to the bullpen in late June, already tallying three victories and two holds over that span.

Nicasio hurled two shutout innings Tuesday, registering his second relief win in the last four days.

EDGE Analysis

Since moving to the bullpen on June 26, Nicasio has thrown 8.1 shutout innings with two holds. So long as Pittsburgh continues to match him up against right-handed hitting, the two-pitch pitcher figures to be a competent option.

Nicasio struck out the side on nine pitches in the eighth inning of Monday's game against St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

He followed up his "immaculate" inning with a ninth-inning flyout and a walk before Pittsburgh turned to Neftali Feliz for the save. Nicasio was only pitching so late in the game because the team rested both Tony Watson and Mark Melancon, but he's pitched better out of the bullpen over the last week -- he could pick up a decent number of holds the rest of the way.

Nicasio hurled three scoreless relief innings Monday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Since returning from the Dominican Republic and moving to the bullpen, Nicasio has put up back-to-back solid outings. The righty struggles with left-handed hitters and the former starter is likely better suited for relief work for the foreseeable future.

Nicasio (personal) was reinstated from the restricted list Friday, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates made a flurry of roster moves Friday, but Nicasio's return is likely the most notable. The veteran has lost his spot in the rotation for now after being away from the team for nearly a week, but he will provide a viable arm out of the bullpen.

Nicasio (personal) is expected to join the bullpen upon his return, at least temporarily, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

While manager Clint Hurdle said Nicasio will be back with the team "sooner [rather] than later," he said Nicasio will be available in relief upon his return, suggesting he is out of the running for Sunday's start against the Dodgers. Wilfredo Boscan would presumably get another turn unless Gerrit Cole (triceps) is cleared to bypass a rehab assignment. Nicasio has been rocked for 16 earned runs on 16.1 innings so far in June.

Nicasio (personal) is expected to return to the team later in the week but it's unclear if he'll be ready to start Sunday's game against the Dodgers, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nicasio was placed on the restricted list over the weekend as he had to leave the team to handle a family matter, which resulted in his turn in the rotation being skipped Tuesday. Wilfredo Boscan will start in Nicasio's place Tuesday, but if Nicasio does return to the team later in the week, he could theoretically rejoin the rotation Sunday. However, a decision on Nicasio's role moving forward won't likely be made until he officially returns to the Pirates.

The Pirates are unsure when Nicasio (personal) might return. "He needs to get back home," manager Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "We wanted to work with him. To my understanding it is somewhat open-ended. We've encouraged him to go, contact us sometime next week. Let us know the state of affairs and we'll go from there."

EDGE Analysis

Nicasio was a preseason darling after throwing 16 scoreless Grapefruit League innings. Under the tutelage of pitching coach Ray Searage, the righty was set up for a big year. Unfortunately, left-handed batters -- something he could better avoid as a reliever in 2015 -- have hit him to the tune of .333/.604/.391 in 139 PA. Nicasio is better suited for the bullpen if and when he returns to the Bucs.