Crick hurled a scoreless seventh inning in Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

He's given up just one hit with an 8:4 K:BB in 10 innings covering 10 games. The righty will likely continue to serve as closer Richard Rodriguez's set-up man. Crick, who has two holds, has decreased his fastball usage (43.2 percent) while increasing his slider (56.1 percent). He's regained two miles-per-hour (92.9 mph) over 2020, but he's still well below his 2019 fastball level (95.3 mph).

Crick allowed no hits and one walk in a scoreless inning of Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs. He struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

He bumped up his fastball velocity (92.9 mph) from last season (90.9 mph), though the speed is still down from his career average of 95.5 mph. Not surprisingly, Crick struggled with his control, throwing only eight of 17 pitches for strikes. The 28-year-old, who is slated for high leverage situations, could easily move into the closer's picture if manager Derek Shelton decides Richard Rodriguez is better suited for a set-up role or is traded.

Crick was reinstated from the COVID-19 IL on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates optioned right-hander Wil Crowe to make room for Crick on the active roster. As Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic noted, Crick was away due to the birth of his child and had to clear COVID protocols before rejoining the team. Richard Rodriguez already has a save for Pittsburgh, but manager Derek Shelton has suggested he likes Rodriguez more as a setup man. Perhaps Crick eventually enters the ninth-inning picture.

Crick (COVID-19 protocols) could rejoin the Pirates for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

He has been away from the team following the birth of his child and continues to go through COVID-19 protocols, but it sounds like he could be back before the end of this opening series. Richard Rodriguez is the presumed closer in Pittsburgh, but it's a very fluid situation and Crick could work his way into the saves mix in short order if he throws enough strikes.

Crick has been away from the team following the birth of his child, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Crick's absence was announced Thursday, he's been away from the team for several days. He's in the process of rejoining the Pirates, but he's currently on the COVID-19 injured list since he'll need to go through intake testing before he's cleared to return. It's unlikely that Crick will miss significant time to begin the season.

Crick threw an inning of scoreless relief Tuesday against Baltimore, allowing no hits and one walk while striking out a pair of batters, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

He's in the high-leverage situational mix with Richard Rodriguez, though manager Derek Shelton has not named a closer. "The fact that our guys continue to get better and execute pitches makes it a more viable conversation of how we use those leverage situations," Shelton said. After posting a 90.9 mph average fastball velocity in 2020, Crick has bumped his velocity back up into the 93-mph range. While he still has trouble commanding his pitches -- he threw only nine of 18 pitches for strikes Tuesday -- the 28-year-old might still become an option for saves in 2021.

Crick is looking forward to a healthy 2021 after dealing with injuries over the last two seasons, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

His fastball velocity dipped from 95.3 mph in 2019 to just 90.9 mph in 2020. Crick, who suffered a season-ending lat strain last year, also dealt with the passing of his father and brother. While Richard Rodriguez currently serves as the frontrunner for the closer's job, manager Derek Shelton has not yet named a closer. After a pair of difficult campaigns, Crick is looking forward to the challenge. "I'm embracing the competition," Crick said. "We have a lot of good arms here. It should be a great competition. Richie was in the role at the end of last year, and rightfully so. Really, right now, it's gonna be a healthy competition."

Crick (lat) and the Pirates agreed to a one-year, $800,000 deal Friday, avoiding arbitration, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Crick battled injuries throughout the 2020 season, throwing just 5.2 innings. It's unclear whether or not the lat strain that ended his season prematurely in mid-September will affect him heading into spring training.

Crick was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a lat strain, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Crick will have a chance to return just before the regular season concludes, though the club has yet to release a timetable for his return. Mitch Keller was called up to take Crick's place and will start the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Reds.

Crick (shoulder) allowed one hit in a scoreless inning against the Brewers on Sunday. He struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Pitching for the first time since July 27, Crick 's fastball sat 90 mph. In 2019, he averaged 95.3 mph with his heater. On the positive side, the righty was able to throw his slider for strikes several times. Overall, he registered nines strikes on 12 pitches. Pittsburgh used him in the fourth inning Sunday, but he'll take on a more accustomed role in the later innings, provided he continues to regain velocity.