Bednar has allowed one run across three innings while striking out five and walking none while pitching for the USA in the World Baseball Classic.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar had struggled a bit in camp with the Pirates, as he served up two homers and walked two across only three innings of Grapefruit League action. However, he's put up significantly better results in the World Baseball Classic, a reassuring sign as Opening Day approaches. Bednar should be Pittsburgh's locked-in closer while also providing plenty of strikeouts with decent ratios.

Bednar picked up the save in a scoreless inning in Sunday's 7-5 victory over the Cardinals. He allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar worked around a double and a walk to record a scoreless inning and earn his 19th save of the season. In four outings since returning from the injured list Sept. 22, Bednar has allowed one run over four innings with six strikeouts and two saves. He owns a 2.66 ERA and 1.13 WHIP through 50.2 innings this season.

Bednar picked up the save Tuesday against the Reds, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning of a 4-1 victory.

EDGE Analysis

Facing the last three spots in the Reds' lineup, Bednar struck out the first two batters before ending it with a groundout. It was his 18th save of the season and first since returning from the injured list on Sept. 22. The 27-year-old is likely to occupy the closer role for Pittsburgh over the final eight days of the season.

Bednar (back) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was on the injured list with his back injury since late July, but he recently made three rehab appearances at Triple-A Indianapolis and allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out four in three innings. The right-hander should reclaim closing duties from Wil Crowe over the final two weeks of the regular season.

Bednar (back) will continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday in what is likely to be his final outing before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander began the rehab assignment last week, and Monday will be his third appearance with Indianapolis. Bednar has been sidelined by the back injury since late July, but he's on the cusp of rejoining the Pirates for the final stretch of the season. He's 17-for-21 in save chances with a 2.70 ERA this year, and he figures to reclaim the closer role from Wil Crowe once reinstated.

Bednar (back) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Indianapolis, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After missing more than a month of action with a back injury, Bednar is ready to get back up on the bump. It's unclear how many times he will throw in the minors before being activated from the injured list, but his return should not be far off.

Bednar (back) will require a rehab assignment prior to returning from the injured list, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar threw live batting practice Saturday and will ultimately need to spend some time in the minors before he's activated by the Pirates. The team hasn't yet determined the specifics of his rehab assignment, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-hander remain sidelined until at least late next week.

Bednar (back) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar threw a side session Sunday and has been cleared to face hitters less than a week later. The Pirates haven't yet determined when the right-hander will begin a rehab assignment, but the team will likely make a decision based on how he feels following Saturday's throwing session.

Bednar (back) threw a side session Sunday, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has been on the shelf for just over a month with low-back inflammation, so he'll likely need to throw at least one more bullpen session before advancing to facing hitters in live batting practice. If all goes well, Bednar could start a brief minor-league rehab assignment next week before returning from the 15-day injured list. While Bednar has been sidelined, three Pirates relievers -- Wil Crowe, Chase De Jong and Eric Stout -- have picked up one save apiece.

Bednar (back) threw Friday in Philadelphia, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said in mid-August that Bednar was close to starting a throwing program, and the right-hander has now been cleared to make that step. He'll likely have to ramp up his intensity before he's in the mix to rejoin the Pirates, manager Derek Shelton hopes that Bednar will be able to return prior to the end of the regular season.