Manager Derek Shelton said Sunday that Bednar is dealing with right lat tightness, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander apparently felt the tightness while throwing recently and is now being monitored by the training staff. It remains to be seen if the issue will affect Bednar's availability for the start of the regular season, but for now he should be considered day-to-day.

Bednar remains the Pirates closer after the team signed Aroldis Chapman this offseason, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has posted three consecutive excellent seasons with the Pirates, and he's served as the closer for the latter two. It hardly comes as a surprise that he's locked into the role in 2024 as a result, but manager Derek Shelton went out of his way early in camp to make clear that Bednar is first in line for saves.

The Pirates and Bednar avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.51 million contract Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's a sizable, well-earned raise for Bednar in what was his first year of arbitration eligibility. He's collected 61 saves while posting a 2.25 ERA and 226:56 K:BB over 179.2 innings during his time in Pittsburgh, blossoming into one of the best closers in baseball.

Bednar picked up the save in Sunday's 3-0 victory over the Marlins, striking out two over a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

It was a fitting way for Bednar to wrap up the campaign, striking out his final two batters to close out a 3-0 Pirates' victory. Since Aug. 30, the 28-year-old Bednar pitched to a 1.35 ERA over 13.1 innings while converting 16 straight save chances. He'll end the year with 39 saves, tied for second most in the majors, with a 2.00 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 80 strikeouts over 67.1 innings.

Bednar pitched a scoreless inning with one walk and two strikeouts to close out the save in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar continues to roll as one of the top closers this season, placing second on the saves leaderboard as of the end of Thursday's game. Notably nine of his 38 saves have come in September while pitching to a 1.62 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 15 strikeouts across 11.1 innings in that span.

Bednar picked up the save in Friday's 7-5 victory over the Reds. He allowed zero hits and two walks while striking out one over a scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar is now up to 37 saves on the year, which is tied for the NL lead and trails only Emmanuel Clase (42) on the overall MLB leaderboard. The 28-year-old right-hander has delivered a terrific 2.08 ERA with 75 strikeouts across 65 total innings of work this season for the Pirates.

Bednar picked up the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Yankees. He allowed one hit while striking out three in a scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar's now gone nine consecutive innings without allowing an earned run, striking out 10 in that span, while converting his last 14 save opportunities. The 28-year-old right-hander is now 36-for-39 in save chances this season with a pristine 1.86 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 72:4 K:BB across 63 innings.

Bednar picked up the save Thursday against the Nationals, pitching a perfect inning while not recording any strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar needed just 10 pitches to get through the top of the Nationals' lineup and secure his 35th save of the season. The 28-year-old reliever has now converted his last 12 save opportunities and has yet to allow an earned run in September. It was also the fourth time this month he didn't allow any hits or walks in an appearance.

Bednar picked up the save Wednesday against the Nationals. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out one over an inning.

EDGE Analysis

It certainly wasn't Bednar's cleanest outing -- he was charged with a run after allowing the first three batters to reach safely in the ninth, though he'd ultimately strike out CJ Abrams before coaxing a flyout from Lane Thomas to strand the bases loaded and seal a 7-6 victory. Bednar's now allowed just two earned runs in his last 10 outings (10 innings) while converting 11 straight save opportunities. He's up to 34 saves on the year, tied for fourth most in the majors, with a 1.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 69:18 K:BB through 61 innings this season.

Bednar picked up the save Wednesday against the Brewers, allowing one hit while striking out two over a scoreless inning. He did not walk a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar gave up a leadoff single to Andruw Monasterio in the top of the ninth but was able to retire the next three batters to nail down his 33rd save of the season. The right-hander has now converted each of his last 10 save opportunities and has not allowed a run through five September appearances. He also has not walked a batter since Aug. 19 against the Twins (spanning eight appearances).