Bednar is dealing with a lower-back issue and is unavailable Tuesday against the Nationals, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Derek Shelton said they are hoping to avoid an injured list stint for the back issue that Bednar has been dealing with, which had gone unreported until now. Two of Bednar's three blown saves have come in his last three appearances, and he has given up three runs while striking out seven in 3.2 innings over that stretch. It's unclear who would be next up behind Bednar, but Wil Crowe and Chris Stratton seem like potential options.

Bednar (3-2) was charged with the loss after he pitched two-thirds of an inning, surrendering two runs on two hits and two walks on his way to a blown save Saturday versus the Rays. He struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was called upon to protect a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and he retired the first two batters he faced before imploding. He issued back-to-back two-out walks before Jonathan Aranda singled to load the bases. Isaac Paredes then promptly ripped a two-run single, delivering the Rays a walkoff win. Bednar suffered his third blown save of the season and blew his second straight opportunity. The closer still owns a 1.78 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over 35.1 innings while he's converted 11 out of 14 save chances this year.

Bednar (3-1) allowed a run on one hit and a walk over two innings Sunday, striking out four and earning a win over the Giants. He also blew a save chance.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was called upon to attempt another multi-inning save but coughed up a game-tying home run to Thairo Estrada in the ninth frame. Jack Suwinski later drilled a walkoff shot, giving Bednar the victory. Despite the slight hiccup, the 27-year-old righty still owns a strong 1.34 ERA with a 46:8 K:BB through 33.2 innings.

Bednar allowed a hit and a walk while striking out four in 2.2 scoreless innings to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered with one out in the seventh inning and just kept going, throwing 26 of 43 pitches for strikes in his longest appearance of the year. He's now 11-for-12 in save opportunities across 25 outings. The right-hander owns a 1.14 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 42:7 K:BB through 31.2 innings overall. He's pitched on each of the last two days, but an off day Thursday bodes well for his availability for any save chances that arise during the three-game weekend series versus the Giants.

Bednar struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning to earn a save over Arizona on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar made his first appearance since May 30 when he coughed up two runs and earned a win over the Dodgers. He showed no signs of rust Sunday, needing just 13 pitches to retire the Diamondbacks in order and finish off the Pirates' combined shutout. The 27-year-old has now converted 10 of his 11 save chances while posting a 37:5 K:BB with a 1.33 ERA through 22 appearances.

Bednar (2-1) allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking out four across two innings to earn the win Monday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered the game in the eighth inning and was tasked with preserving a one-run lead. However, he surrendered three hits -- including a pair of doubles -- to allow the Dodgers to take a one-run lead. After the Pirates rallied in the ninth frame, Bednar remained in the game and worked around another extra-base knock to secure his second win of the season. The effort ended a stretch of eight scoreless appearances for Bednar, though he still has an excellent 1.38 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 35:5 K:BB across 26 innings for the season.

Bednar saved Saturday's 4-2 win against the Padres, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

After Pittsburgh took the lead in the top of the ninth inning, Bednar entered for the bottom of the frame and retired the side in order on 12 pitches. It was a nice rebound from Tuesday's loss and the 27-year-old has compiled a strong May that features seven successful save opportunities, a 0.63 ERA, 0.49 WHIP and 17:1 K:BB in 14.1 innings.

Bednar (1-1) allowed an unearned run on one hit while striking out one to take the loss Tuesday against Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered the game in the 10th inning with the score knotted at one. He retired the first batter he faced but allowed a single to Connor Joe, which drove in a run and stuck Bednar with the loss. Bednar has been excellent to begin the season, maintaining a 0.78 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and a 30:4 K:BB across 23 innings.

Bednar (1-0) allowed one hit and a walk in a scoreless outing while earning a win over Colorado on Monday. He struck out one and recorded four outs.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar gave up an infield single to Brendan Rodgers in the eighth inning and a walk to Elias Diaz in the ninth -- both with two outs -- but still finished off the win for Pittsburgh. He's turned in six straight shutout appearances, lowering his season ERA to 0.82 with a stellar 29:4 K:BB. Bednar is 1-0 while converting all eight save chances on the year.

Bednar saved Wednesday's 3-2 win against the Cubs, allowing one hit with two strikeouts in two innings.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was brought in for the eighth to face the heart of Chicago's lineup and stayed in for the ninth, surrendering a Christopher Morel single with two out in the ninth as the only baserunner. The 27-year-old found the zone with 21 of his 28 pitches and induced an impressive tally of five swinging strikes in lowering his ERA to 0.90. Bednar has covered multiple innings in three of his six saves in May and appears to have earned manager Derek Shelton's full trust.