Bender (1-0) walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Sunday to secure the win in a 3-2 victory over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander entered the game with the score tied 2-2, putting him in the right place at the right time when a David Bednar wild pitch brought home Derek Hill in the bottom of the frame. Calvin Faucher worked the eighth and is still the presumed favorite for saves, but Miami hasn't actually had a ninth-inning lead to protect yet this season -- all three of their wins have been walkoffs. With Jesus Tinoco (back) on the shelf until at least mid-April, there should at least be more high-leverage work available for Bender after he recorded five wins and 15 holds, both career highs, in 2024.

Bender has a spot secure on the Marlins' Opening Day roster but will likely begin the season in a setup role, with Calvin Faucher and Jesus Tinoco getting the first closing opportunities.

EDGE Analysis

Neither Faucher nor Tinoco are proven commodities in the ninth inning, so if they both struggle, Bender could get a look as the closer later in the year. The right-hander has posted an 8:2 K:BB through 7.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring as he looks to build on a 2024 campaign that saw his record a career-high 15 holds along with a 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 59:18 K:BB through 53 innings.

The Marlins and Bender avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bender had been eligible for arbitration for the first time. The right-handed reliever posted a 4.08 ERA and 59:18 K:BB across 53 innings out of the Marlins' bullpen in 2024.

Bender issued one walk over 1.1 scoreless innings Sunday, striking out two and earning a save against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Bender threw just 13 of 25 pitches for strikes but still closed out the 3-1 win without much trouble. It was his first outing of more than one inning pitched since July 26. Bender finishes his 2024 season at 5-2 with a 4.08 ERA, one save, 15 holds and a 59:18 K:BB through 53 frames.

The Marlins reinstated Bender (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Bender has been on the shelf since mid-August due to a right shoulder impingement, but he's been cleared to return to Miami's bullpen after allowing one run in three innings during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville. The 29-year-old holds a 4.00 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 45 innings in the majors, though a lack of depth in the Marlins' bullpen has allowed him to work in several high-leverage situations.

Bender (shoulder) struck out two batters and gave up one earned run on three hits and no walks over one inning in a rehab appearance Saturday with Triple-A Jacksonville.

EDGE Analysis

Bender threw 20 pitches in the rehab outing, his first since landing on the injured list Aug. 15 with a right shoulder impingement. He'll likely need to get in another appearance or two in the minors before rejoining the Miami bullpen, likely as a setup option in front of new closer Calvin Faucher.

Bender (shoulder) played catch Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bender was placed on the IL on August 16, and while he'll be eligible to return Tuesday, it appears he'll require more than the minimum 15 days off. He has several checkpoints to clear before being activated, possibly including a rehab assignment.

The Marlins placed Bender on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right shoulder impingement.

EDGE Analysis

Bender is dealing with an injury in the shoulder of his throwing arm and will be sidelined until at least Aug. 27. The 29-year-old will be replaced on the active roster by Emmanuel Ramirez. Prior to suffering the injury, Bender posted a 4.00 ERA across 45.0 innings for the Marlins.

Bender (4-2) was credited with the win Friday after giving up one run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander took over for Edward Cabrera in the top of the fifth with the Marlins ahead 4-2 and wound up being the pitcher of record, despite serving up a double to Jose Iglesias in the sixth ahead of Jeff McNeil's second homer of the night. Bender has been one of the Marlins' most effective relievers over the last couple months, and since the beginning of June he's posted a 1.84 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB through 14.2 innings while collecting three wins and three holds in 19 appearances. Should Tanner Scott get dealt ahead of the trade deadline, Bender could find himself in the ninth-inning mix for Miami.

Bender (2-2) picked up the win Friday over the Mariners, working a perfect 10th inning without a walk or a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander sat down the bottom of Seattle's order on 14 pitches (eight strikes), then got rewarded when Tim Anderson walked it off with an RBI single in the bottom of the frame. Over his last 12 appearances, Bender has delivered a 2.00 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and three holds in addition to Friday's win, and he remains part of the high-leverage mix for Miami.