David Bednar spring training disaster reignites Pirates fans' worries entering 2025

Emma Lingan

Sep 15, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

A strong start from right-hander Jared Jones was spoiled on Thursday in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 15-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

In other words, the Pirates' bullpen completely imploded. Stop us if you've heard this one before.

At the center of said implosion was none other than veteran closer David Bednar, who is coming off the worst season of his career and appears to be picking up right where he left off. Super.

Jones – who started on the mound as a last-minute replacement for Bailey Falter, who was scratched with "general body soreness" – pitched well through four innings, striking out four, walking two and allowing one hit with no runs. Jack Carey, who finished last season in Double-A Altoona, came in to pitch in relief and struggled mightily, but it was the performance of Bednar that was far more concerning.

The right-hander came in for the bottom of the sixth inning and gave up three hits – two of which were doubles – a pair of walks and four runs while getting just one out on a fielder's choice, which also scored a run, extending Minnesota's lead to 9-0.

In five appearances this spring, Bednar has pitched to a 12.46 ERA with five strikeouts and a 2.31 WHIP over 4 1/3 innings of work.

David Bednar spring training disaster reignites Pirates fans' worries entering 2025

Needless to say, Bednar's disastrous outing on Thursday was particularly concerning in light of his struggles in 2024. He finished last season with a 3-8 record, a career-high 5.77 ERA and seven blown save opportunities after being demoted from the closer role in late August. He also finished the campaign with career worsts in walks (28), home runs (9), hits allowed (54), runs (40), earned runs (37), strikeouts (58) and WHIP (1.422) over 57 2/3 innings of work.

Just two seasons ago, Bednar led the league in saves (39), recorded a 2.00 ERA and set career bests in innings pitched (67 1/3), home runs allowed (3) and strikeouts (80). The Pirates were hopeful that the 2024 season was merely a blip on the radar for the two-time All-Star closer. After his rocky spring, however, there is (or should be) growing concern about his ability to rebound in 2025.

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Emma Lingan

Emma Lingan is an MLB Staff Writer for FanSided primarily covering the Pittsburgh Pirates. She has been covering baseball for more than a decade dating back to her time as a student at Wake Forest University, and she has won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. National Team delegation (2016 Pan-American Championships & 2017 World Baseball Classic). She is also a credentialed NHL reporter and a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. You can follow her @Emma Lingan on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.