In a mildly surprising, yet not undue, move, the Pittsburgh Pirates have sent two-time All-Star David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis. A move with the pitching staff was necessary to make room for rookie Thomas Harrington on the active roster. Catcher Jason Delay was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. The Pirates still have to announce the removal of another player from the active roster to accommodate newly acquired outfielder Alexander Canario.
We have selected the contract of RHP Thomas Harrington to the 26-man Major League roster.
C Jason Delay has been designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster, and RHP David Bednar has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room on the 26-man active roster.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 1, 2025
Pirates Send David Bednar to Triple-A
It’s been a stunning fall from grace for the 30-year-old right-hander Bednar. After making the National League All-Star team in 2022 and 2023, he fell on hard times last year. In 2024, he was 3-8 with 23 saves, seven blown saves, a 5.77 ERA, and a 1.422 WHIP.
The 2025 season started much like 2024. In the spring exhibition season, Bednar gave up 10 runs (nine earned) in eight innings for a gaudy spring ERA of 10.13. Manager Derek Shelton declined to name Bednar – or anybody else – as his closer in the spring. However, once the regular season began, the ninth-inning opportunities went to Bednar. In the regular season, he’s made three appearances and is credited with pitching one inning while giving up three runs. His record is 0-2. He also earned a save on Friday, but not before giving up a prodigious home run to the Miami Marlins’ Otto Lopez.
Bednar certainly wasn’t helped by his Pirates teammates, hence his 19.87 FIP compared to his 27.00 ERA. In the bottom of the ninth on Opening Day, center fielder Oneil Cruz played Nick Fortes’s fly ball into a leadoff triple. Fortes then scored the winning run on Kyle Stowers’ single. On Sunday, disaster struck again for Bednar in the bottom of the ninth. The Marlins’ Derek Hill led off by beating out a weak bouncer to third base. Hill promptly stole second, and catcher Endy Rodríguez’s throw sailed into center field, sending Hill to third base. From there, Hill scored on a wild pitch to win the game.
The Last Word
Bednar is struggling mightily at the moment. With no discernible drop in velocity, it seems clear that Bednar’s issues might stem from a lack of confidence. After all, Shelton showed great patience with Rowdy Tellez and Michael A. Taylor through their struggles last year. It’s a little harder to show that same patience when the player lacks confidence.
Whoever assumes the closer’s role will be interesting to see. The natural move might be to promote the eighth-inning specialist. However, Colin Holderman has been ineffective, too, so far in this early season. He’s given up three runs on four hits and three walks in three innings. Shelton may simply try to get through the final innings of a game based on matchups.
Photo Credit: © Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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