Tony Watson could return to familiar role in Pirates’ bullpen
PITTSBURGH 鈥� The Pirates have four left-handed pitchers among the eight that currently work out of the team鈥檚 bullpen.
But they don鈥檛 really have a traditional match-up left-hander among them.
Felipe Rivero has been the team鈥檚 closer in everything but name since the first week of June. Antonio Bastardo just came off the disabled list this week and has faced all of one batter. But Bastardo doesn鈥檛 make much sense for that role, anyway. For the last two seasons, he鈥檚 had a reverse platoon split, meaning that left-handers have hit him better than right-handers.
Wade LeBlanc has had a similar platoon split, and he鈥檚 also the team鈥檚 most reliable multi-inning option, so using him for a situational at-bat against a left-hander probably isn鈥檛 ideal. LeBlanc has also struggled recently. He had a 9.24 ERA in June after posting a 1.95 mark in May. Against the San Francisco Giants Friday night, LeBlanc and Bastardo each gave up a run in less than two innings of total work.
鈥淭here鈥檚 been some challenges with some left-handers,鈥� manager Clint Hurdle said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a work in progress. The game, you never master it. He (LeBlanc) gave us a really good first two months in a variety of roles. He鈥檚 been challenged lately.鈥�
The answer might end up being Tony Watson. The Pirates鈥� former closer was placed into that role on Thursday, when he came on in the seventh inning with two men on and one out and got Tampa Bay Rays鈥� No. 3 and 4 hitters Corey Dickerson and Evan Longoria out to end the threat.
That鈥檚 a role that Watson hasn鈥檛 had for several years, but there could be a two-way benefit to it. Hurdle gets a lefty to use in those situation, and Watson gets to try to work back into form in a role he鈥檚 had success with in the past.
鈥淗e鈥檚 done it, and he鈥檚 got the DNA for it. He鈥檚 got the software for it. At times, talking to (pitching coach Ray Searage), I鈥檒l plug guys back into situations they had success in before to help reignite him.鈥�
The Pirates and Giants will play the second game of their three-game weekend series at PNC Park Saturday at 4 p.m.