Hirano struck out a batter as part of a perfect seventh inning to capture his fourth hold of the season in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Hirano needed just eight pitches to retire the side, firing seven strikes to stay ahead of the count on all three batters he faced. It's been a smooth transition to the majors for the former Japanese standout, who has allowed just two runs over 9.1 innings while posting a 7:1 K:BB and 0.75 WHIP.

Hirano was credited with his first MLB win in Sunday's 4-1 victory over the Cardinals after tossing a scoreless seventh inning. He struck out one batter in a perfect 11-pitch frame.

EDGE Analysis

The Diamondbacks' end-game trio of Hirano, Archie Bradley and Boxberger has been spectacular through the club's first nine games, with the pitchers combining to allow just two runs in 17 innings. Since Boxberger is thriving as closer, Hirano isn't an immediate threat for the gig, but the Japanese import should offer some utility in NL-only formats that count holds as a category.

Hirano pitched a scoreless eighth inning to record his first hold of the season during Friday's 9-8 win over Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

The 33-year-old righty has now appeared in consecutive games and retired four batters while allowing two hits. He's not an overpowering pitcher, and his strikeout rate has declined in three consecutive seasons in Japan, so the jury's still out on just how much fantasy upside he offers. Hirano will likely need to be in the mix for saves to warrant a roster spot in most settings, though.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Hirano will primarily pitch in the seventh or eighth inning, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hirano was battling Brad Boxberger and Archie Bradley for the team's closer gig, but Lovullo ultimately opted to go with Boxberger, leaving Hirano and Bradley to fill setup roles. The 33-year-old doesn't miss many bats, so his fantasy value will be limited in a setup role. He does have experience closing in Japan, so if Boxberger falters at all, there's a chance Hirano could step into the ninth inning.

Arizona has not announced who will serve as the team's closer between Hirano, Brad Boxberger and Archie Bradley, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hirano has given up six runs in eight innings this spring, but has nine strikeouts and eight walks. He's likely the third choice to serve as closer, but Arizona could use a committee between all three to close games. Hirano does have experience closing games, as he served as the closer for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan the last five seasons.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that he wants to see Hirano log a multi-inning appearance before Cactus League play ends, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic Arizona reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since Hirano remains a bit of a mystery after spending his entire career in Japan, Lovullo likely just wants to observe the 33-year-old in an extended relief outing to determine if it's feasible to use Hirano in that capacity during the season. Along with Archie Bradley and Brad Boxberger, Hirano remains in contention for the Diamondbacks' vacancy at closer, and it's unclear which of the three pitchers is the leading candidate this point, as none have been deployed in a save situation this spring. Over six innings in the Cactus League, Hirano has given up five runs on eight hits (two home runs) and no walks while striking out four batters.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that the competition for the closing role between Hirano, Archie Bradley and Brad Boxberger (arm) and remains "wide open," Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After a successful run as the closer for the Orix Buffaloes of the Japanese Pacific League, Hirano joined the Diamondbacks on a two-year, $6 million pact in December with the expectation that he would fill a back-end role in the bullpen in 2018. Though he struggled in his first two outings of Cactus League play, allowing three runs in two innings, Hirano found a groove Sunday against the Cubs, retiring the side while displaying a sharp split-finger fastball. Lovullo raved about Hirano's outing afterward, but the 33-year-old will likely need to replicate that performance a few more times during exhibition play to bolster his case for claiming the closing gig over Bradley and Boxberger, both of whom are established, high-quality bullpen arms at the MLB level.

Hirano will compete with Brad Boxberger and Archie Bradley for the D-backs' closer role in spring training, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With a steady five-year run in NPB that included a 2.62 ERA and 9.4 K/9 over 271.1 innings with the Orix Buffaloes, Hirano should prove to be a nice addition for the D-backs' bullpen regardless of his role. Already 34 years old, Hirano may not have the ability to work multiple innings as frequently as Bradley, which could actually work in his favor with respect to save chances as the D-backs arrange their late-inning pieces this spring. Nevertheless, this is a competition that should be monitored closely this spring.