Watson is no longer the closer for the Pirates, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander blew his second consecutive save Wednesday night, leading the Pirates to finally pull the plug on him as their closer. Watson will move into lower-leverage situations, where he'll work to regain the form that produced sub-3.00 ERA's from 2013 through 2015. For the time being, Juan Nicasio and Felipe Rivero will share ninth inning duties, but Watson could climb back into contention if he shows drastic improvement in his new role.

The Pirates will discuss whether Watson will remain closer, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Right on cue after manager Clint Hurdle gave him a vote of confidence, Watson blew his fifth save of the season Wednesday, failing for the second straight day. The southpaw owns a 4.44 ERA with only 20 strikeouts and eight walks in 26.1 innings. Fantasy owners should already have or try to acquire Felipe Rivero, the best replacement option, wherever possible, though Juan Nicasio and Daniel Hudson remain remote possibilities should the gig become available. Of course, if the Pirates wind up selling valuable assets like Rivero near the trade deadline, this could wind up a fluid, painful fantasy situation.

Watson struck out one and gave up two hits in an inning of work, including a game-tying two-run home run by Trey Mancini, to blow his fifth save of the season in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander's timing was poor given the increasing noise in Pittsburgh about Felipe Rivero receiving a shot at the closer role. Watson now has a 4.44 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and career-worst 2.1 HR/9 through 26.1 innings this season, and is just 15-for-25 in converting saves over the last two years.

Despite his recent struggles, Watson will remain the Pirates' closer, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

After blowing his fourth save of the season Tuesday night, the left-hander's job seemed to be in jeopardy, although manager Clint Hurdle quelled those concerns Wednesday by giving Watson a vote of confidence. Watson still seems to be on the hot seat, but at least he still is the top ninth-inning option for Pittsburgh for now. He also may have a bit longer of a leash than other closers around the league in order to keep his trade stock up, although he'll need to show some improvement if he wants to remain relevant in shallower fantasy leagues.

Watson blew his fourth save opportunity Tuesday, allowing two runs on two hits in one inning against the Orioles. He struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty was touched up by Jonathan Schoop's game-tying, two-run homer in the ninth inning of a 6-5 loss. Watson's numbers have ballooned to a 3.91 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 25.1 innings. The team would probably like to keep him as its closer, thereby keeping his trade value higher, but Watson's ineffectiveness continues to move up the timeframe for replacement Felipe Rivero.

Watson (4-1) allowed two runs on two hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out one in an inning of work to blow his third save of the season, but he earned the win in Monday's 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Watson gave up a two-run home run to Chris Iannetta to blow the save, and he's treading on thin ice now in the closer's role after allowing nine runs in 11 outings this month. The southpaw doesn't have typical closer stuff either, as evidenced by his 6.9 K/9, and his ERA went up to 4.03. The Bucs haven't given any indication that Watson's job is in jeopardy, but for those speculating, Felipe Rivera would likely be the next man up.

Watson (3-1) pitched a scoreless 10th inning to collect his third win of the season during Saturday's victory over the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty is treading water in the closing role with a 3.38 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 6.8 K/9. However, he doesn't appear to be in jeopardy of losing his job and remains a serviceable fantasy asset. Considering Watson has allowed a .352 BABIP, there is potential for him to settle back in and provide mid-tier results going forward. He allowed just a single run through his first 10 appearances of the campaign, after all.

Watson (2-1) gave up two runs on three hits and a walk while recording just two outs in the bottom of the ninth before the Braves walked off with a win against him Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Watson's been running through a field of land mines of late, allowing runs in four of his last seven appearances. His WHIP is now up to 1.62, which is a highly troubling mark for a closer. No, Watson probably isn't on the verge of getting displaced from the ninth inning just yet, but it's now worth monitoring the work of Felipe Rivero and Juan Nicasio, both of whom have been quite effective in setup duty.

Watson struck out one batter in a scoreless inning against the Phillies on Sunday, notching his 10th save of the season and his second in as many days.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Clint Hurdle doesn't like to use his relievers three straight days, so there's a chance Watson could rest Monday in Atlanta. That said, he threw only a combined 18 pitches Saturday and Sunday, so there's a chance he could pitch if needed. Watson's recent pitching has been impressive, if only because he threw his first two clean innings of the season over the weekend. The lefty recently hired agent Scott Boras, further signaling that his time in Pittsburgh is nearing its end. Felipe Rivero would likely close in the event Watson can't go.

Watson pitched a perfect inning to record his ninth save of the year Saturday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Watson had a low-stress situation, as he was protecting a three-run lead, and he retired the Phillies in order. He's now 9-of-10 in save opportunities, and with a 2.89 ERA, he continues to be a solid fantasy option at closer.