Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar has been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday. The 30-year-old was optioned to the minors after allowing four earned runs across three appearances early in the season. Since then, Bednar has tossed five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts over five appearances. Dennis Santana has been operating as the closer lately, so it's unclear if Bednar will take over the role. The expectation is Bednar will move back into a high-leverage role, but he might not get a ton of save opportunities right away. Bednar is worth monitoring in fantasy leagues, but isn't a must-have player right now.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever David Bednar had another scoreless outing and picked up his third hold in his appearance with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday night, tossing a shutout inning with one hit allowed, no walks and two strikeouts. After allowing four runs (three earned) and four hits in just one inning of work for the Pirates to start the year before being demoted to the minors, the 30-year-old veteran has now posted five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and no walks for Indy. Bednar had a rough 2024 campaign, too, posting a bloated 5.77 ERA (4.80 FIP), a 1.42 WHIP, 23 saves, 58 strikeouts and 28 walks in 57 2/3 innings pitched. He appears to be regaining confidence in the minors, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to regain the closer's role in Pittsburgh from Dennis Santana whenever he rejoins the big-league roster.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned relief pitcher David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis. In a corresponding move, the Pirates promoted right-handed pitching prospect Thomas Harrington to the major leagues and designated catcher Jason Delay for assignment. Bednar has had a difficult start to the 2025 season after having similar struggles in 2024. Through three appearances this season, Bednar has tallied just three outs and lost two games. He has earned one save and allowed four hits and three earned runs. Last season, the 30-year-old posted a 5.77 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP across 57 2/3 innings. He blew seven saves and took eight losses. Fantasy managers should monitor his production at Triple-A as he attempts to turn the corner. While he is in the minor leagues, Colin Holderman and Dennis Santana will likely see the majority of save opportunities.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar recorded the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Marlins, although it wasn't a clean one. In a 4-1 game in the ninth, the 30-year-old walked the first batter he faced, then gave up a two-run home run on the very next pitch before eventually getting the next three batters out (one strikeout). It was the righty's second appearance of the season, with the first coming on Thursday when he came on in a tie ballgame only to surrender two hits, a walk (no strikeouts), and a run, taking the loss in the contest. Bednar had been on shaky ground as it was after posting a 5.77 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and seven blown saves that cost him the closer role late last year, so we'll see if another reliever is giventhe next opportunity. The Pirates don't have another great closer option waiting in the wings, however, so Bednar's job may be safe for now.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar is expected to be the primary closing option for the team heading into the regular season. However, Pirates' manager Derek Shelton has made it clear that there isn't an official closer right now. The assumption is that Bednar will get the first crack at saves considering he's a two-time All-Star in that role. However, he struggled last season with a 5.77 ERA across 62 appearances. It hasn't gone any better for him in spring training with a 14.40 ERA across five outings. The right-hander could quickly be removed from high leverage spots if he continues to struggle early in the season. The team will likely use a committee approach if Bednar struggles, so there's no clear fantasy option right now.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton wouldn't commit to right-handed reliever David Bednar when asked if he is the team's closer in 2025. "I don't think we're ready to say that, but I think we feel very good with the fact that we have a guy who was a two-time All-Star closer," Shelton said. The skipper mentioned that Bednar had an abbreviated spring training last year and struggled early on before figuring things out and being really good. However, he eventually hit another rough patch with his command later in the year. Shelton fully expects the 30-year-old to bounce back in 2025, but it looks like the Pirates want to see him win the role in spring training over other arms like Dennis Santana and Colin Holderman. Bednar had a 5.77 ERA and 1.42 WHIP a year ago and finished in a low-leverage role, so despite the fact he's saved 81 games over the last three years, his leash has tightened considerably.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar is slated to be the team's primary closer to open the 2025 season. Despite having the worst season of his career in 2024, the Pirates still have faith in him, given his previous results. During the 2023 campaign, Bednar posted a strong 2.00 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across 67 1/3 innings. He tallied 39 saves, which were the most in the National League. However, the 30-year-old posted a much higher 5.77 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP last season. His struggles could have been injury-related as he battled a lat injury during spring training, and then he later sustained an oblique injury. However, given that the team did not resign Aroldis Chapman during the offseason, suggests they are betting on Bednar to bounce back. Given his role as the top closer, he is an intriguing pick later in drafts, as he could tally over 20 saves if he returns to form.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar has been removed from the closer role, according to manager Derek Shelton. The 29-year-old has put together an awful 2024 season after back-to-back All-Star campaigns ahead of this season. This news isn't shocking considering Bednar has a 10.80 ERA with a 2.49 WHIP over his last 12 outings. The Pirates have seen enough after Bednar gave up five earned runs during his most recent outing against the Chicago Cubs. Shelton says the team plans to use a committee approach going forward. Aroldis Chapman figures to be the favorite to get save chances given his experience in that role.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar imploded once again in Wednesday afternoon's loss to the visiting division-rival Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, allowing five runs and taking his sixth blown save of the season in the defeat. Summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning, Bednar gave up two hits and three walks while recording just two outs on 28 pitches before being mercifully pulled from Wednesday's disastrous outing against the Cubs. Besides tallying 23 saves for the Pirates this season, the 29-year-old right-hander has struggled all year long in Pittsburgh, posting a 6.32 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 49 strikeouts, and 18 walks over 47 frames. It wouldn't be surprising to see veteran southpaw Aroldis Chapman get more save chances going forward.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar earned the save in Friday evening's series-opening win over the visiting Seattle Mariners at PNC Park. Bednar gave up one run on two hits but struck out three batters on Friday against Seattle, freezing Mariners infielder Justin Turner to earn his 21st save of the year and secure the Pirates' 5-3 win in the ninth inning. The 29-year-old veteran right-hander has registered a shaky 5.83 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 44 punchouts and 15 walks while converting 21 of his 26 save opportunities across 41 1/3 frames (44 appearances) as Pittsburgh's stopper this year.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar took another blown save and a loss on Thursday, allowing three runs to the San Diego Padres in what eventually was a 7-6 loss. Bednar just didn't have it tonight, as he allowed two hits and two walks while only recording two outs. Bednar had gotten back to form after a rough April, but he seems to have lost it again lately, allowing 6 runs in his last four appearances while blowing back-to-back save opportunities. With Aroldis Chapman rounding into form and the Pirates quickly falling out of playoff contention, the team could make a change to try and salvage their hopes. Chapman is worth a speculative add in deeper formats where saves are hard to come by.

The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated closer David Bednar (oblique) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned right-hander Ryder Ryan to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move to make room for Bednar on the active roster. Bednar will return to the Pirates' bullpen after missing around three weeks with an oblique strain. The 29-year-old could be eased back into late-inning, high-leverage situations, but eventually he'll retain primary closing duties for the Bucs, with veteran left-hander Aroldis Chapman returning to a setup role. Bednar tossed a scoreless innings in just one minor-league rehab outing with Double-A Altoona earlier this week and was deemed ready to come off the IL. The two-time All-Star has struggled to a 5.17 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in his 34 relief outings in 2024, but he also has 16 saves after posting a league-high 39 saves in 2023.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (oblique) made his first minor-league rehab outing with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday and pitched a clean inning to pick up a hold. Bednar didn't allow a hit or a walk and struck out one batter. Bednar is getting close to returning from the injured list, but with the All-Star break coming next week, it wouldn't be a surprise if he stays on his rehab assignment until the start of the second half of the season. When he's back with Pittsburgh, the 29-year-old year will return to being the team's primary closing option late in games. He has gone 3-3 this year with an ugly 5.17 ERA AND 1.12 WHIP, but he's also saved 16 games and has a grand total of 74 saves the last three years combined. Until Bednar returns, left-handed veteran Aroldis Chapman will function as the Pirates' closer.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (oblique) will start his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday. Bednar threw a successful bullpen session over the weekend and will now pitch in minor league games after missing over two weeks with a left-oblique strain. It remains to be seen how many outings the 29-year-old right-hander will make in the minors before coming off the injured list. It's possible he could rejoin Pittsburgh's bullpen this weekend, but don't be surprised if the Bucs play it safe and bring Bednar back for the start of the second half of the season after next week's All-Star break. When he returns, Bednar will continue his role as the club's primary closer, moving veteran left-hander Aroldis Chapman back to his late-inning setup role. If Bednar is available for some reason on your league's waiver wire, pick him up and stash him now.

Pittsburgh Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said that closer David Bednar (oblique) is playing catch out to 120 feet and will throw from the slope of a mound in the coming days. Bednar is throwing once again after going on the 15-day injured list on June 23 with an oblique strain. It wouldn't be a surprise if the 29-year-old right-handed reliever isn't ready to come off the injured list when he's eligible, but he still has a chance to rejoin the back of Pittsburgh's bullpen before the All-Star break in mid-July. The two-time All-Star has a rough 5.17 ERA on the year but also sports a 1.12 WHIP and 16 saves as the Pirates' primary closer when healthy, making him stash-worthy in all fantasy leagues. Veteran left-hander Aroldis Chapman will continue to see most of the team's save opportunities while Bednar is out.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (side) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday afternoon with left side tightness. He was unavailable for Saturday's game and clearly needs extra time to recover. It is unclear how long he will be sidelined for. Bednar has been more sporadic than normal in 2024 as evidenced by his 5.17 ERA, but he has still converted 16-of-19 save opportunities and produced a 9.19 K/9. Aroldis Chapman should be the main beneficiary in Bednar's absence as he collected the save on Saturday. Chapman owns a 4.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, two saves, 13 holds and 45:27 K:BB this season. He is a worthwhile pickup for fantasy managers that are desperate for saves in the short term.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (side) was unavailable Saturday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays, per manager Derek Shelton. He is dealing with left-side soreness. Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth and earned his second save. Bednar has three wins, 16 saves, a 5.17 ERA, and 32 strikeouts in 31 innings. It is unknown how serious the injury is or how long Bednar might be out. Should he miss any time, look for Chapman to fill in for him in the short term.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar shut the door for his 12th save in Tuesday's 1-0 win over the Dodgers. Bednar came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by one and delivered a 1-2-3 performance with no strikeouts. The 29-year-old has converted 12 of 15 save opportunities this season, but those have come with a 5.92 ERA. Four different relievers have seen a save opportunity for the Pirates in the last seven days, so Bednar's grasp on the role seems to be tenuous. However, he has been a useful fantasy option in each of the last two seasons, so fantasy managers should continue to trust him as long as he can pitch well enough.

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever David Bednar allowed two hits over a scoreless inning to earn the save during Saturday's 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves. Bednar entered the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. He retired the first two batters he faced before surrendering back-to-back hits. The southpaw got Ronald Acuna Jr. to ground out to earn his 11th save. Bednar owns a 6.75 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts over 21 1/3 innings in 2024. Since May 1, the 29-year-old has racked up five saves while posting a 2.61 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and eight strikeouts over 10 1/3 frames. Bednar is Pittsburgh's primary closer, and fantasy managers should continue to roll with him in all leagues.

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar continued his recent run of success on Thursday, tossing a scoreless inning to pick up the save in a 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. Bednar didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one. After a horrid April that included three blown saves and a loss, Bednar has bounced back in May, going 4-for-4 in save opportunities while allowing just two runs in seven innings. Fantasy managers can rest easy with Bednar for now, as he should continue as the team's closer for the foreseeable future.