Pirates get bullpen boost with return of All-Star closer David Bednar: ‘I’m ready to go’
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David Bednar could only watch from afar Tuesday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates blew a four-run lead in the ninth inning and lost to the New York Yankees on a walk-off grand slam.
After spending seven weeks on the injured list with low back tightness, including pitching three times in a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis, the All-Star closer is ready to return.
The Pirates activated Bednar on Thursday before the start of a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, providing a boost to the back end of their bullpen and a satisfying end to his breakout season. To make room on the active roster, left-handed reliever Eric Stout was placed on the 15-day IL with lower back tightness.
“Anytime you’re on the IL and you see your team lose a close game, especially in the spot there where you would be pitching, you always want to be out there helping the guys,” Bednar said. “That’s the stuff that always kind of gets to you. Just being healthy again and go out there and compete with them, because they’ve been playing their butts off, getting back there and finishing the season strong is really important to me.”
Pirates All-Star closer David Bednar on whether he expects to be activated today for the seven-game home stand after being on IL since Aug. 3 with low back tightness and completing a rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis. pic.twitter.com/zwlGRyNv6e
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) September 22, 2022
The 27-year-old Mars graduate leads the Pirates with 17 saves this season, going 3-4 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 46 2/3 innings over 40 appearances. Bednar is averaging 12.2 strikeouts and 2.7 walks per nine innings, but it’s his ninth-inning presence that was missed most. His 17 saves in 21 opportunities is far and away the best on the team, and he was the Pirates’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.
David Bednar received his 2022 Roberto Clemente Award tonight!
Vote for David: https://t.co/k46EIfa4wn pic.twitter.com/N2VIeS9k9w
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 22, 2022
Bednar was the National League reliever of the month for May, when he went 2-1 with a 1.65 ERA and 0.74 WHIP, seven saves and 21 strikeouts against two walks. He also threw eight consecutive scoreless innings between May 11-28 and had a 50-pitch outing in the final two innings for a 2-1 win at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Obviously, this guy’s our best reliever,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “You do it by what he did earlier in the year, going to the All-Star Game. Any time you can add someone of that caliber back to your group, it’s extremely important. Again, we have to be mindful and very aware of his health, but it’s really important to have him back.”
Pirates manager Derek Shelton discusses the importance of having All-Star closer David Bednar back in the bullpen. pic.twitter.com/XD6H3X3cAq
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) September 22, 2022
Shelton echoed general manager Ben Cherington’s comments earlier this month by saying that the Pirates never considered shutting Bednar down for the season. Bednar was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 3 and didn’t throw for a few weeks. Once his discomfort was alleviated and Bednar started throwing off a slope, Shelton said, the Pirates prioritized him finishing the season healthy.
“No, it never came up,” Shelton said. “In fact, he probably would’ve liked to have come back a lot sooner than we allowed him. He wants to pitch. It was really important for us and David because we had to gauge where he’s at health-wise and be very mindful of that.”
Shelton wouldn’t commit to whether Bednar will be used as a closer right away, though the Pirates have had a 12.46 ERA in high-leverage situations since Aug. 1. Wil Crowe’s meltdown against the Yankees, when he gave up a solo homer to Aaron Judge and a grand slam to Giancarlo Stanton, only emphasized the need for Bednar.
“Whenever the phone rings, I’m ready to go,” Bednar said. “Whenever they want me to be in there, I’ll be more than willing to just go out there and get some outs.”