Share Video
Link copied!
The Pirates will monitor Watson's workload in spring training as he enters the season as the team's closer, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.
Manager Clint Hurdle is focused more on Watson's usage than his new ninth-inning role. The lefty has averaged a league-high 72 appearances over the last five seasons. "I've seen pitchers who may not be as mentally comfortable in some innings as others," Hurdle said. "I don't believe that's the case with Watson. I believe last year it was the volume of work that caught up to him. It just got to be a heavy load." Watson, who lost his recent arbitration case, will become a free agent following 2017. Accordingly, the potential trade candidate has plenty of incentive to pitch well this summer.
