Bastardo earned his third hold of the season Saturday, compiling 1.2 scoreless innings against the Braves. He still seems like a risk to implode in any outing, but the lefty is finally earning some of his $3.1 million contract. He appears to be slowly gaining the trust of Manager Clint Hurdle.

Bastardo recorded his second win in as many days Sunday, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning against the Phillies. A long homestand and extensive bullpen use forced Pittsburgh to go with Bastardo and he has responded. For the first time in a Pirates uniform, Bastardo has looked comfortable. He's given up one earned run in his last six outings, a span of 5.2 innings. The lefty still slots behind several other bullpen options, but he's beginning to pitch like he has in past seasons.

Bastardo earned his first win with Pittsburgh on Friday, throwing a shutout inning against the Phillies. He hasn't earned the trust of manager Clint Hurdle, but the Bucs ran out of arms Friday and sent Bastardo on the mound against his former mates. Pittsburgh is paying the lefty $3.1 million in 2015, so it will continue to work him through his woes.

Bastardo has been activated off the paternity list, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. After three days off, Bastardo returns to his position in the Pittsburgh bullpen. His 6.43 ERA and 2.29 WHIP needs to improve or he could find himself on waivers soon. The stuff is there (11.6 K/9), but so is his past lack of control (5.1 BB/9).

Bastardo was placed on the paternity list Monday. Bastardo will get the next 1-to-3 days to spend with his wife and newborn child. Bobby LaFromboise was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to take Bastardo's place on the roster.

Pitching for the first time since Monday, Bastardo struck out two batters in a scoreless inning Sunday against Arizona, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Manager Clint Hurdle said that Bastardo's role with the Bucs will be different than it was in Philadelphia last season. "He was on a bad team last year, (so) he had to pitch more," Hurdle said. "He's in a different role this year, as well. My challenge is to find ways to keep him fresh. He's one guy I need to find an opportunity to get out there, but I'm not going to force it."

One scout believes Bastardo is better suited for a middle-inning role than as a late-inning reliever. "If he comes into the game when you're either two runs ahead or two behind, his stuff is excellent," the scout told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "However, when he comes into a tie game or you're one run ahead, he tries too hard, and he walks everybody. It drives you crazy, and that's why he was available. To me, he's better in the middle (innings) than he is as a setup or closer." There's a dramatic split between Bastardo's numbers in low-leverage (.116 BAA, .353 OPS, 3.83 SO/BB) and high-leverage (.270 BAA, .844 OPS, 1.60 SO/BB) roles. In nine spring outings, the southpaw has allowed five earned runs in nine innings, giving up 12 hits and three walks while striking out 13.

Bastardo has allowed five earned runs on 10 hits and three walks in five Grapefruit League innings. After trading for Bastardo and his fairly expensive one-year, $3.1 million deal, the Bucs are looking for him to serve as a second bullpen lefty behind Tony Watson. He collected 12 holds for Philadelphia in 2014, an area which represents his primary fantasy usefulness. If Bastardo limits his walks -- he compiled a 4.78 BB/9 ratio in 2014 -- then he figures to help the Bucs in the seventh and eighth innings.

The Pirates and Bastardo agreed on a one-year, $3.1 million deal, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Bastardo projects as the Pirates' second left-handed bullpen arm behind Tony Watson. He gave up only 43 hits in 64 IP, striking out 81 batters but walking 34. Though his 3.10 FIP was significantly better than a 3.94 ERA, pitching coach Ray Searage will need to work some of his magic to help Bastardo improve upon his command. He finished with 12 holds and zero saves for Philadelphia in 2014.

The Phillies traded Bastardo to the Pirates on Wednesday for Joely Rodriguez, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The Pirates just missed out on signing Pat Neshek earlier Wednesday, but they were able to land some bullpen help in Bastardo via trade. Bastardo, 29, posted a 3.94 ERA last season, but he's held opposing lefties to a .185/.284/.337 batting line for his career and has appeared in 48-plus games in each of the last four seasons. That said, Tony Watson will likely continue to serve as the top lefty out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh.