Pirates recall closer David Bednar for well-earned return after Triple-A heater

Emma Lingan

Aug 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Chicago won 14-10.Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

After 18 long days, The Renegade is headed back to the Steel City.

The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled two-time All-Star closer David Bednar from Triple-A Indianapolis Saturday ahead of their home game against the Cleveland Guardians. The Pittsburgh native was demoted earlier this month after struggling to an 0-2 record with a 27.00 ERA and one save in three appearances to start the season.

In a corresponding move, the Pirates placed left-handed reliever Tim Mayza on the 15-day injured list due to a lat muscle strain in his throwing shoulder. Bednar will take Mayza's place on Pittsburgh's active roster, but the former closer's role with the club has yet to be defined.

Pirates recall closer David Bednar for well-earned return after Triple-A heater

After Bednar's career-worst season for the Pirates in 2024 saw him finish with a 3-8 record, a 5.77 ERA and seven blown saves in 57 2/3 innings pitched, the 30-year-old was on a short leash to start the 2025 season.

Bednar's demotion came on April 1 after a rough start to the season in which he allowed a leadoff triple on Opening Day against the Miami Marlins with the game tied at 4-4, eventually resulting in a walk-off. He also allowed a two-run home run in the second game on March 28, which he eventually got the save for a 4-3 win, and then threw a wild pitch, as the Marlins walked it off again for a 5-4 win in the series finale.

Bednar pitched exceptionally well following his demotion, allowing just one hit against seven strikeouts and no walks in five innings of work with Indianapolis. He now rejoins the Pirates' bullpen in a yet-to-be-defined role while the club continues to deploy a closer-by-committee approach.

In an absolute best-case scenario, Bednar will return to his 2022-23 form that earned him back-to-back All-Star appearances with the Pirates. He led the National League with 39 saves in 42 opportunities in 2023 with a 2.00 ERA in 67 1/3 innings pitched, and he had 19 saves in 23 opportunities in 2022, with a 2.61 ERA in 51 2/3 innings pitched.

More Pirates content from Rum Bunter

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.