Bastardo is expected to pitch mostly in the seventh inning of games for Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Bucs had Felipe Rivero penned for the seventh inning when they traded for him last week. In the end, both southpaws will likely find plenty of work -- given the Pirates' shaky rotation.

Bastardo will head back to the Pirates as the Mets acquired Jon Niese, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bastardo, who pitched for the Pirates in 2015, will head back and join the Pittsburgh bullpen. In 43.2 innings in 2016, Bastardo has struggled, compiling a 4.74 ERA. Last season with the Pirates, Bastardo was fantastic, posting a 2.98 ERA and .188 batting average against.

Bastardo's struggles continued Sunday, as he allowed three runs without recording an out. In his last 13 games since May 18, Bastardo had surrendered 14 earned runs in his last 12.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Bastardo was signed this off-season to a two-year, $12 million deal to serve as a set-up man for Jeurys Familia. Following Sunday's debacle, Bastardo now has. 5.46 ERA and will likely be relegated to mop-up duty for a while.

Bastardo fired a scoreless inning, allowing a hit and a walk in Tuesday's matchup with Los Angeles.

EDGE Analysis

Bastardo holds a 1.46 ERA over his last 11 appearances and has racked up five holds during that span. The 30-year-old also holds a 2.30 ERA on the season along with a 11.49 K/9 ratio. As long as the lefty continues to limit runs and strike out batters, he should remain a focal point of the Mets' bullpen during 2016.

Bastardo tossed a scoreless eighth inning Saturday, his second straight day of action for the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Bastardo, signed to a two-year, $12 million deal this offseason by the Mets, had a rough spring training. He opened the season down the Mets' bullpen depth chart, though he was acquired to set up Jeurys Familia. Bastardo tossed a scoreless ninth in Friday's 7-1 blowout but saw his first action in a tight game Saturday. These two solid outings could move him back up the bullpen pecking order.

Bastardo's rough spring continued Thursday, as he allowed a run in two innings, the NY Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pitching coach Dan Warthen said after the game that he believes Bastardo has been "over-rotating with the baseball" which affects his velocity and the movement on his pitches. Whatever the cause, Bastardo has a 7.00 ERA and just a bit more than a week to resolve the problem.

Bustard's spring training struggles continued Sunday, as he allowed two runs - one earned - on a hit and two walks.

EDGE Analysis

Bastardo now has an 8.10 ERA this spring. While it is just spring training, his struggles have to raise the concern needle slightly. Bastardo is still penciled in - along with Addison Reed - to set up Jeurys Familia but if his struggles continue, he could be moved to a middle relief role.

Bastardo signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Bastardo will be the lefty set-up man pairing with Addison Reed to be the bridge to Jeurys Familia. He signed for one year and $6 mil less than Tony Sipp received from the Astros. Bastardo held lefties to a .167 battling average last season.

Bastardo earned his first save of the year Wednesday, striking out two batters while walking one in a scoreless ninth inning against the Padres. With the Pirates holding a three-run lead and both Mark Melancon and Tony Watson having pitched the night before, Bastardo got the call to nail down the win. He worked around a leadoff walk, striking out Melvin Upton and Will Middlebrooks before inducing a groundball from Derek Norris to end the contest. The 29-year-old has now made a scoreless appearance in nine of his last 10 chances on the mound.

Bastardo who was bombed for a three-run dinger by J.D. Martinez on Thursday, allowed three earned runs while recording just two outs. Manager Clint Hurdle had wanted to give Tony Watson the day off, but Bastardo's ineffectiveness forced the skipper's hand. The runs were the first permitted on the road (in 11 IP) and inflated his earned-run average to 4.18.