Bednar (1-1) was charged with the loss and blown save Tuesday after he retired just one of the seven batters he faced during a 5-3 loss to the Tigers. He allowed four runs on three hits and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander also plunked a pair of batters as he threw just nine of 23 pitches for strikes. It's an exclamation point on a worrying start to the season for Bednar, who is 1-for-4 in save chances and has already surrendered six earned runs after giving up exactly 15 in each of the previous three seasons. Manager Derek Shelton admitted that Bednar's lack of spring reps due to a lat injury has likely played a role in the struggles, per Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but there's been no indication at this point that a change at closer is coming.

Bednar was charged with the blown save Saturday against the Orioles after allowing one run on two hits in the ninth inning. He struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar struck out the first batter he faced but then allowed back-to-back singles and uncorked a wild pitch to put the tying run at third base. Cedric Mullins tied the game on a fielder's choice. While it wasn't a disastrous outing, and the Pirates would go on to win the game in extras, it was Bednar's second blown save already this season and there are some lingering questions about his health after the right-hander battled a lat injury in spring training. Aroldis Chapman has been pitching the eighth and is still throwing in the upper 90s, so he's presumably next in line behind Bednar for closing duties.

Bednar earned a save against the Nationals on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar got a slightly late start to the season due to a lat injury, and he faltered in his first save opportunity Sunday, though he ended with the win in that outing. The right-hander had no problem with Washington in earning a save Thursday, throwing 14 of 19 pitches for strikes and finishing the contest by fanning Lane Thomas and Joey Meneses. Bednar emerged as one of the league's elite closers last year with 39 saves (tied for second in MLB), and though he's just 1-for-2 in save opportunities to begin this campaign, he's looked good overall, allowing just one run on one hit while posting a 5:0 K:BB over three innings.

Bednar (1-0) earned the victory and blew a save against Miami on Sunday, allowing one run on one hit in his lone inning of work. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar came into the game with a one-run lead looking to earn his first save of the season but allowed a game-tying pinch-hit home run to Nick Gordon. The Pirates then scored twice in the 10th to secure the victory for Bednar. The Pirates' closer did not pitch in the first two games of the series after coming out of spring training with a lat injury, but he worked back-to-back days Saturday and Sunday, which is a great sign for his status moving forward.

Bednar (lat) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one across a scoreless inning Saturday against Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was unavailable to pitch on Opening Day in a save situation due to ongoing recovery from a lat injury. However, he entered Saturday's game in the ninth inning with a six-run lead. Though it wasn't a save situation, Bednar had no issues recording the final three outs of the game and should be available as Pittsburgh's closer moving forward.

Bednar was unavailable to pitch Thursday against the Marlins due to ongoing rehab from a lat injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was sidelined for much of spring training with a lat issue, though he managed to make his Grapefruit League debut March 21 while making an additional appearance on March 24. He hasn't been placed on the injured list, so Pittsburgh presumably expects him to be game ready soon.

Bednar (lat) allowed two hits and struck out one across a scoreless inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has been sidelined by lat tightness for just over two weeks, though he has downplayed the seriousness of the injury. Per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bednar's pitches looked sharp and his fastball sat consistently at 97 mph. It's expected that he will be ready for Opening Day.

Bednar (lat) will make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday against the Blue Jays, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar first developed some right lat tightness in early March but has been progressing nicely since then. The closer has said previously that he was optimistic about ramping up in time for Opening Day, and his return to game action certainly helps his case.

Bednar (lat) said Thursday he is tracking toward being available for Opening Day, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game after developing some early-camp right lat tightness, but he threw a live batting practice session Monday and is slated for a game appearance next. Even if the closer is indeed ready for Opening Day, it's possible the Pirates will avoid using him on back-to-back days initially. That could allow for some early-season save chances for Aroldis Chapman, as well.

Bednar (lat) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be his first time throwing from the bump since some right lat tightness cropped up at the beginning of the month. Bednar has not made an appearance in a Grapefruit League game this spring, but that seemingly should come soon if things go well Friday. He could still have time to ramp up for Opening Day, but it will be close.