Avilan struck out one in a perfect inning of relief during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros to record his first save of the spring.

EDGE Analysis

While the southpaw is no threat to factor into the closer mix in the regular season, Avilan has all but locked up a big-league job this spring with a 2.35 ERA and dynamite 9:0 K:BB through 7.2 innings. He figures to be the No. 2 left-hander in the Mets' bullpen behind Justin Wilson, a role with limited fantasy appeal but which could keep him very busy in an NL East that features sluggers such as Bryce Harper and Freddie Freeman.

Avilan has a good chance to make the Mets' Opening Day roster according to general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

EDGE Analysis

Avilan was only given a minor-league deal, but his numbers agree with the idea that he'll have a good shot. The lefty has recorded an ERA below 3.80 for three straight seasons and looks even better by FIP, where his mark has been below 3.10 in each of those years.

Avilan signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Thursday. The deal includes an invitation to spring training.

EDGE Analysis

Avilan was forced to settle for a minors deal after being non tendered by Philadelphia earlier in the offseason. Across 70 appearances with the White Sox and Phillies in 2018, the southpaw notched a 3.77 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 51:18 K:BB in 45.1 innings. Avilan held lefties to a .220/.304/.341 slash line in 2019 and will compete for a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen as a lefty specialist.

Avilan was not tendered by Philadelphia on Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Avilan appeared in 70 games out of the bullpen between the White Sox and the Phillies in 2018. He posted a 3.77 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with a 51:18 K:BB across 45.1 frames.

Avilan was dealt to Philadelphia from the White Sox in exchange for Felix Paulino.

EDGE Analysis

Avilan will add a much needed left-handed arm to the Phillies' bullpen, especially with southpaw Aaron Loup (forearm) currently on the DL. Across 58 appearances with Chicago this year, Avilan logged a 3.86 ERA and 1.36 WHIP to go along with a 46:14 K:BB over 39.2 innings. Manager Gabe Kapler will have the chance to utilize Avilan as a LOOGY in high-leverage spots. In order to make room for Avilan on the 40-man roster, Jose Taveras was designated for assignment.

Avilan allowed two hits and two inherited runners to score in two-thirds of an inning, but picked up the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Avilan picked up his second save, though he was hardly effective and needed every bit of the three-run lead the White Sox had when he entered the game. While he has the most saves of the relievers in line for save opportunities, it's best not to view the left-handed Avilan has the primary closer. Since the White Sox traded Joakim Soria, manager Rick Renteria has handed out save chances to Avilan, Jace Fry, Xavier Cedeno and Thyago Viera.

Avilan allowed two hits and struck out two over one inning in a non-save situation in Friday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Avilan recorded the final out of the eighth inning after relievers Jace Fry and Juan Minaya combined to allow the Rays to even the score at 2-2. The eighth inning was clearly the most high-leverage situation but manager Rick Renteria held off on using Avilan, who picked up a save the previous night. It could be a sign that Renteria doesn't trust Avilan with a lead in a tight situation with men on base. It's also a sign that the White Sox's end-game picture is unsettled and that any one of those three relievers are in line for save opportunities.

Avilan recorded the final two outs of Thursday's game against the Royals to earn his first career save.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Rick Renteria gave Jace Fry a vote of confidence after Fry blew a save chance Sunday, but he then turned to Fry to begin the eighth inning Thursday. Avilan got the call to close things out after right-hander Jeanmar Gomez recorded the first out of the ninth inning. We still like Fry's skills the best of the bunch, but it looks like this may be a committee moving forward with Avilan very much in the mix.

Avilan pitched a scoreless two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 1-0 loss to the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing an unearned run and then an earned run in his first two starts, Avilan hasn't allowed a run over his last two outings. Beyond Joakim Soria and Nate Jones, we're still trying to get a read on the White Sox's bullpen. Avilan had a scoreless spring training and looked like he'd be an important piece, however, just one of his four outing thus far is considered high-leverage. With Chicago's bullpen ERA a league-worst 7.11, manager Rick Renteria may begin to use Avilan when the stakes are higher.

Avilan struck out three over a scoreless 1.1 innings in Wednesday's game against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Avilan has been spotless over three spring outings, allowing just one hit with no walks and seven strikeouts over 3.2 innings. In a refurbished bullpen, there isn't any one reliever whose role is set in stone, but you can bet Avilan will be part of the high-leverage crew.