Bednar allowed one run on three hits and no walks in one inning during Saturday's win over the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar hadn't allowed any runs in July prior to Saturday's appearance, but he gave up Pittsburgh's one-run lead in the eighth inning against the Phillies. Per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the right-hander profiles as the Pirates' closer after Richard Rodriguez was traded to Atlanta on Friday. However, Chris Stratton earned the win Saturday by tossing a scoreless ninth inning, and manager Derek Shelton said before Saturday's game that the Pirates will use a closer-by-committee approach, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Bednar collected his seventh hold in Friday's 4-1 win over the Mets, walking one batter in a scoreless eighth inning. He struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar, who threw 14 of 21 pitches for strikes, appeared in a spot typically reserved for Kyle Crick (who did not pitch). The right-hander figures to get an opportunity to close games out if and when the team trades Richard Rodriguez by the deadline.

Bednar (2-1) allowed two hits in a scoreless inning and earned the win over the Mets on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old benefited from Pittsburgh pulling ahead in the top of the ninth, which put him in line for the win. Bednar hasn't seen a ton of high-leverage work for a struggling team, but he's pitched reasonably well with a 3.09 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 42:12 K:BB across 35 innings. The right-hander has added six holds and a blown save in 39 appearances.

Bednar has registered a 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 8:3 KK:B in 7.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

He's kept opponents scoreless in nine of 10 outings, picking up a pair of holds. The righty's throwing hard (96.7 mph) and often (60.3 percent). Pittsburgh has developed a pecking order that typically features Kyle Crick in the eighth inning and Richard Rodriguez in the ninth, but Bednar is showing that his spring training effectiveness was no fluke. Should the team trade Crick or Rodriguez, the 26-year-old figures to get a late-inning look. He did pitch the ninth inning of Sunday's win in Minnesota in a four-run game.

Bednar allowed two earned runs on two hits (both solo homers) and no walks in one inning of Wednesday's 11-4 loss to Cincinnati. He struck out two batters.

EDGE Analysis

In an effort to get him some work, Bednar entered Wednesday's game with his team already down, 9-0, in the eighth inning. He's only allowed 10 home runs in 219.2 minor-league innings, but has given up six in just 20.1 major-league frames -- something to keep an eye on.

Bednar pitched a scoreless inning in a 5-3 win over the Cubs on Thursday. He struck out two without allowing a hit or walk en route to his first hold.

EDGE Analysis

The righty appeared in the seventh inning to protect a 5-2 lead, ahead of Chris Stratton (eighth inning) and Rich Rodriguez (ninth inning) with Kyle Crick (personal) away from the team. Bednar's fine outing represents a carryover from his impressive spring and while he didn't close out Thursday's game, he's definitely got closer-worthy stuff.

Bednar has officially won a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day bullpen, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has options remaining, so he could have been sent to the minors so the Pirates could keep other options in the organization. He forced the team's hand with a dominant spring, however, striking out 18 batters and walking just one in 8.2 scoreless innings. That's the kind of performance that could push him into a high-leverage role this season given the Pirates' lack of proven bullpen options, though he hasn't looked anything close to a high-leverage option in his 17.1 major-league innings thus far in his career, struggling to a 6.75 ERA.

Bednar has yet to allow an earned run in seven spring innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out 13, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old, acquired in the Joe Musgrove trade, has seen a tick up in his fastball velocity and hit 99 mph in his last outing. He could move into a high leverage situation if he continues to execute at his current level, but the team has several other relievers out of options. As a result, it's possible that Bednar could be optioned to Triple-A at the beginning of 2021, even though he's throwing as well as anyone in the bullpen.

Bednar walked one batter and struck out a pair in a scoreless inning Sunday against Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

The righty, acquired in the Joe Musgrove deal, has not allowed a run in three spring innings. He's yet to give up a hit, walking one while striking out seven. His strong start has put him in the mix for a bullpen spot and possibly even closer discussions at some point in 2021. The 26-year-old has done well with a 97-mph fastball and sharp-breaking curve.

Bednar was traded from the Padres to the Pirates on Monday as part of a three-team trade that sent Joe Musgrove to the Padres and Joey Lucchesi to the Mets, source reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar is part of a large package of players heading to Pittsburgh as part of the deal. The 26-year-old righty is arguably one of the less interesting pieces in the deal, as he owns a 6.75 ERA in 17.1 career innings at the highest level.