Bednar Removed from Pirates Closer Role

S. Samek

Coming into the 2024 season David Bednar was firmly in the closer role. Now as we enter September the role that was thought to be so certain is now up for grabs.

Darek Sheldon announced ahead of Friday August 30th, 2024, game against the Guardians that Bednar was no longer the closer.

Bednar struggled mightily in Wednesday’s loss to the Chicago Cubs where he allowed five runs in 2/3 of an inning. He was the losing pitcher after blowing his sixth save of the season. Compared to the past two season where he blew a combined seven save chances. His seven losses this year are also a career high.

His ERA has tripled to 6.32 after finishing 2023 with a 2.00 ERA and 2022 with a 2.61. Bednar‘s ERA is the highest it’s been sense 2020 when he finished the abridged season with a 7.11 for San Diego.

Injury may be playing a part in Bednar’s decline this season. He had right lat tightness that cost him most of Spring Training. He went on the injury list on June 23rd. After his return from that stint, he hasn’t been good allowing 16 runs in his past 15 2/3 innings.

Moving forward no one pitcher has been named the new closer. The Pirates look to be using a closer by committee set up at least in the short term. Aroldis Chapman would be the name that probably comes to mind as the next in line for the closer role. He does have 325 career saves, however in 2024 he’s just four of eight in save opportunities.

I could also see September call-ups used to shore up relief pitching for the final month of the season. Maybe one or two of the call-ups get a look in the closer spot.

Hoping Bednar can get it together and return to the closer role. Yet in the meantime it’s up to the rest of the relief pitchers to pick up the slack.