Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Bednar (back) should be ready to begin a throwing program later this week or early next week, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was recently cleared to begin plyometric work, and if his back continues to respond well over the next couple of days, he should be ready to start playing catch. He'll then gradually ramp up the intensity and distance of his throwing before eventually graduating to bullpen sessions and then live batting practice. As a reliever, Bednar won't require an extensive buildup program, but Pittsburgh's closer is still probably at least a week away from making his return from the 15-day injured list.

Bednar (back) has begun doing lumbar/spine exercises and is hoping to start throwing in about a week, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has been dealing with back issues for a good part of the season and has still managed to record 17 saves while generating an impressive 2.70 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. However, it seems that he will have to remain out of action for the immediate future and Wil Crowe will continue filling in as Pittsburgh's closer until Bednar returns.

The Pirates placed Bednar on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with low-back inflammation.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar's back injury cropped up earlier this week and left him unavailable for a save chance in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Brewers. Wil Crowe worked around a hit and struck out the side to notch his third save of the season, and he likely projects as manager Derek Shelton's preferred choice to close games while Bednar is on the shelf. Bednar will be eligible to return from the IL in mid-August.

Manager Derek Shelton said Bednar was unavailable during Tuesday's win over the Brewers due to a lower-back injury, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar missed some time with the back issue a month ago and was able to avoid the injured list, and it remains to be seen if he'll require a trip to the shelf this time around. In his absence, Wil Crowe picked up save Tuesday, and Yerry De Los Santos could also be in the mix for saves should Bednar be forced to miss additional time.

Bednar (3-4) took the loss in Sunday's 6-5 game against Miami, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits while striking out two and walking none over one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered the game with a 4-4 tie in the 10th inning, but he took the loss after a run scored on an error and after allowing another run to score on a single. In four appearances since July 13, Bednar has a blown save and two losses to go with just one save. He has a 4.66 ERA for the month but remains Pittsburgh's main closer. He will take a 2.96 ERA into his next outing.

Bednar earned a save against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing one walk and striking out two batters in one scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

A sixth-inning run gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead heading into the ninth frame, and Bednar was summoned to preserve the shutout. He issued a one-out walk but managed to keep Miami off the scoreboard. Bednar yielded five runs (four earned) and blew a save in his final 3.2 innings prior to the All-Star break, but his grip on the closer role in Pittsburgh appears to be secure. He's racked up 17 saves on the campaign, sixth-most in the National League.

Bednar (3-3) got the loss Wednesday after he blew a save, surrendering three runs on three hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning in the 5-4 extra-inning defeat to the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was called upon for the second straight night to protect a late lead, but Wednesday was a far different story than the day prior. The closer entered the game with a 4-2 lead in the bottom the 10th frame, allowing three singles and two runs to score before the final game-winning runner came around to score on a wild pitch with two outs in the frame. The blown save was his fourth of the year and first in his last six save opportunities. Overall, Bednar has converted 16 saves in 20 chances while producing a 3.16 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 56 punchouts over 42.2 innings in 36 appearances this season.

Bednar gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his 16th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old closer has looked a little vulnerable lately, giving up runs in four of his last 10 appearances with a 6.97 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB through 10.1 innings over that stretch, but Bednar didn't falter Tuesday. Barring a deadline trade to a contender, he figures to remain the ninth-inning job in Pittsburgh down the stretch even with some occasional lapses.

Bednar saved Saturday's 4-3 win against Milwaukee, striking out one during a perfect ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was tasked with protecting a one-run lead and successfully did so against the top of Milwaukee's order. The 27-year-old has tossed four scoreless innings in July while recording four saves after concluding June with two poor performances. Bednar's owns a steady 2.25 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 40 innings, making him one of the stronger closers in the majors.

Bednar allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar surrendered a one-out double to Mike Moustakas but otherwise pitched a clean frame to tally his 14th save of the season. Since allowing five earned runs across 1.1 innings and two appearances in late June, Bednar has turned in three consecutive scoreless appearances -- he earned saves in each -- to get back on track. He has maintained a strong 2.31 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 52:12 K:BB across 39 frames on the season and is locked into the closer role in Pittsburgh.