David

Bednar

The 30-year-old right-hander had a very disappointing 2024 season in which he posted a troublesome 5.77 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 58/28 K/BB ratio over 57 2/3 innings while recording 23 saves. He ultimately lost his closer’s gig to Aroldis Chapman in mid-August and finished the season in a setup role. With Chapman gone, the door is open for Bednar to return to the ninth inning in 2025, but he’ll need to revert to his old form in order to hold onto the job. Fantasy managers are buying into a rebound, as he sits just inside the top 150 players overall in early fantasy drafts.

The 29-year-old hurler has been hit like a pinata in recent weeks, posting an unfathomable 10.80 ERA, 2.49 WHIP and a 13/10 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings in his last 12 appearances dating back to July 29. The Pirates are expected to employ a committee approach in the ninth inning to replace Bednar, but Aroldis Chapman seems to be the most likely beneficiary here.

Three singles and two walks, one of which was intentional. Bednar, who came into a 10-8 contest, nearly got a double play to end the game with only one run in, but Dansby Swanson beat out the relay. The go-ahead hit was a hard grounder from Christian Bethancourt that shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa should have had or at least kept in front of him to prevent a second run from scoring. Alas, he did neither. Bednar was pulled at that point and Jalen Beeks went on to allow both inherited runners to score. Bednar wasn’t bad enough today to deserve that much damage to his ERA, but then, it’s not like his season can really be salvaged at this point anyway. He has a 6.32 ERA in 47 innings currently. The Pirates will likely stick with him in the closer’s role. Heck, his obvious replacement, Aroldis Chapman, gave up three runs today, too.

Bednar did not make this one easy. Cincinnati got the winning run to third base and go-ahead run on first with Elly De La Cruz at the plate, but he lined out on a first-pitch fastball to end the game. Overall, this will be a season to forget for Bednar marred by injuries and ineffectiveness. Just don’t let those ugly full-season numbers make you ignore the fact that he’s still Pittsburgh’s unquestioned closer right now.

Bednar allowed a solo home fun to Jorge Polanco to start the inning and then followed that up by allowing a single to Luke Raley before striking out the next three batters to earn his 21st save. The right-hander has been struggling of late, but the Pirates are clearly not ready to give up on him. It should be noted that Aroldis Chapman did pitch the eighth inning against Randy Arozarena, Cal Raleigh, and Julio Rodriguez, so this may be a late-inning committee right now.

Bednar came on with a one-run lead to protect, but that was quickly erased on Merrill’s one-out game-tying blast. He then plunked Jake Cronenworth and walked David Peralta before rallying to strike out Tyler Wade and getting Luis Arrez on a line drive to short to end the inning. The 29-year-old hurler now sports an uninspiring 5.17 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 39/12 K/BB ratio across 38 1/3 innings on the season.

Bednar entered in the top of the ninth to close out the game against Arizona with a three-run lead. He recorded two quick strikeouts to start the frame before giving up a run on a double, walk, and base hit. Bednar then got Alek Thomas to fly out to center field to end the game and secure his 20th save.

Bednar loaded the bases, and in a 5-2 game, the Pirates decided not to risk a walk-off grand slam to Yordan Alvarez and intentionally walked him to drive in a run with two outs. He was able to get Yainer Diaz out to with a pop-up to Oneil Cruz, and despite allowing a run Bednar was able to pick up his 19th save.

Bednar was called upon to protect a one-run margin in the final frame and needed just 13 pitches (11 strikes) to slam the door. He got a pair of ground outs to open the frame before surrendering a single to Paul Goldschmidt, which put the potential game-tying run on-base. He was able to bounce back quickly, striking out Nolan Gorman on three pitches to extinguish the threat. He’s converted both of his save chances for Pittsburgh since returning from the injured list back on July 12.

In his first time taking the hill since landing on the injured list on June 23 with a left oblique strain, Bednar needed just 12 pitches (nine strikes) to dispatch of Eloy Jimenez, Lenyn Sosa and Paul DeJong in order — including a punchout of DeJong. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for the Pirates’ right-hander. He has now converted 17 saves on the season while posting a 5.01 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 32 1/3 innings of work.