Bender worked a perfect ninth inning Tuesday without a walk or strikeout to record his third save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander hadn't pitched since last Wednesday due to hip soreness, but Bender seemed healthy in this one as he needed only seven pitches (six strikes) to nail down the save. The 27-year-old still appears to be manager Don Mattingly's top option as closer for now, but with Dylan Floro (shoulder) closing in on his season debut, that could soon change.

Bender didn't enter for Saturday's save opportunity due to hip soreness, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury apparently cropped up during his last outing Wednesday against St. Louis, when he took the loss after giving up two runs on a hit with a strikeout and a walk over one inning. Bender is apparently feeling better, but the Marlins will remain cautious with his return. Tanner Scott picked up the save Saturday, as Miami's closing situation remains wide open with Dylan Floro (shoulder) still on the injured list. Bender has struggled early in the campaign and has an 8.31 ERA over 4.1 frames while converting two of three save chances.

Bender (0-1) took the loss Wednesday as the Marlins fell 2-0 to the Cardinals, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out two in the ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander entered a 0-0 game in the top of the ninth and promptly struck out Paul Goldschmidt, but after walking Tyler O'Neill, Bender served up the game-winning homer to Nolan Arenado on a fastball that didn't get far enough inside to jam the third baseman. Bender has had a rough start to the season, posting an 8.31 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 4.1 innings, and while he's converted two of his three saves chances, his hold on the closer job for Miami seems very tenuous.

Bender allowed two hits but threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Bender was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning. He allowed a leadoff single, but then induced a double-play from the next batter he faced. After allowing a second knock, Bender got Bryce Harper to fly out to end the game. Bender has allowed two earned runs across 3.1 frames to begin the season, but he has also also tallied two saves and is the team's clear closer for the time being.

Bender (0-1) took the loss Tuesday as the Marlins were downed 4-3 by the Angels, giving up one run on one walk in one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

It was a tough way to lose a game. With the score tied 3-3 to begin the bottom of the ninth inning, Bender issued a one-out walk to Jack Mayfield, only for pinch runner Tyler Wade to steal second, move over to third on a wild pitch, then come home on a grounder that shortstop Miguel Rojas bobbled slightly. Bender is getting the opportunity to show he can be the Marlins' ninth-inning man while Dylan Floro (shoulder) is on the shelf, but so far he hasn't looked great, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1:1 K:BB through 2.1 innings over three appearances and converting only one of two save chances.

Bender gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his first save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

After blowing his first save chance of the year Friday, Bender was right back on the mound with a lead on the line the next day, and this time he came through. It's reassuring that manager Don Mattingly didn't lose faith in the right-hander after one outing, and if Bender can keep getting the job done through the first couple weeks of the season, he could wind up keeping the closer role even after Dylan Floro (shoulder) comes off the injured list.

Bender struck out one and gave up a solo home run in an inning of work during Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

The Marlins put together a rally in the top of the ninth inning to take their first lead of the game and give Bender his first save opportunity of the season. Unfortunately, a Thairo Estrada solo shot sent the game to extras, and San Francisco pushed across the winning run in the 10th inning against Anthony Bass. Cole Sulser, another potential closing option for the Marlins, worked a scoreless seventh inning. Manager Don Mattingly seemed willing to give Bender a chance to establish himself prior to the season starting, but as he showed with Bass last year, he isn't afraid to make a quick switch in the ninth either.

Manager Don Mattingly said Thursday that Bender is Miami's "go-to-guy" in the ninth inning to start the season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dylan Floro is officially on the injured list due to shoulder tendinitis, which has opened the door for Bender to take over the closer's role. However, there is plenty of competition in the Miami bullpen, highlighted by Anthony Bass and Richard Bleier as well as the recently added Cole Sulser. With multiple options to turn to in the ninth inning, Bender will have to perform well if he hopes to maintain save chances while Floro is sidelined.

Bender could step in as the Marlins' closer early in the season since Dylan Floro is behind schedule in camp due to arm soreness, Joe Frisaro of ManOnSecondBaseball.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bender made his major-league debut in 2021 and posted a 2.79 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 61.1 innings across 60 appearances (one start). The right-hander converted three of five save chances while recording 12 holds during that time. It's possible that Bender will be able to carve out ninth-inning work early in the 2022 campaign.

Bender (2-2) allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in an inning of work, taking the loss in Saturday's 7-4 defeat against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Bender entered into a fresh inning charged with protecting a 2-2 ballgame. Protect it he did not, as the Reds brought seven men to the plate and scored four times. Even with this brutal outing, the rookie reliever still sports a tidy 3.18 ERA thanks to a streak of 21 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run to begin his career.