Bednar is expected to begin the 2025 season as the Pirates' closer, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar endured a tough 2024 season, highlighted by a 5.77 ERA and 1.42 WHIP across 57.2 innings. As a result, he didn't close the campaign in the closer role, instead ceding most of the opportunities to Aroldis Chapman in the final month. Chapman has since signed in Boston, leaving Pittsburgh hopeful that Bednar will be able to regain his previous form as a reliable closer. Bednar and the team have noted that he was overthrowing his pitches last season -- potentially due to an oblique injury he suffered early in the campaign -- an issue they believe has been resolved during the offseason.

The Pirates and Bednar avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.9 million contract Thursday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar had a rough 2024 campaign, losing his closer job while collecting a 5.77 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 58:28 K:BB across 57.2 innings of work. He could get another shot in the ninth inning in 2025 but won't be handed the job.

Bednar (3-8) was charged with a blown save and took the loss against the Cardinals on Wednesday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk over one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered the contest with the score tied in the bottom of the seventh and proceeded to give up a leadoff homer to Masyn Winn on a hanging curveball. The right-handed reliever would then manage to retire just one of the next three batters he faced before being relieved by Jalen Beeks, who didn't fare any better. It marked the seventh blown save of the season for Bednar, with his previous one coming back on Aug. 28, just before he was removed from the closer role. He's now allowed at least one run in three of his last six appearances and carries a 5.14 ERA in the month of September to go along with a dreadful 6:8 K:BB.

Bednar allowed one unearned run on two hits while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning Wednesday against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar started the ninth inning with a 3-0 lead. He had an inconsistent performance as he allowed a leadoff double and an RBI single, but he struck out two and would have stranded the runner successfully had there not been an error behind him. Bednar hasn't recorded a save since Aug. 23 and has since been removed from the closer role, though it appears the Pirates may be willing to give him more save chances before the close of the season.

Bednar struck out one and didn't allow a baserunner in the ninth inning Tuesday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar entered the game with a 5-0 lead and turned in his second consecutive scoreless appearance since losing the closer job for the Pirates. It's unclear whether the team will return him to the role if he continues to show improved form in low-leverage situations.

Manager Derek Shelton said Friday that Bednar will be temporarily removed from the closer role and pitch in lower-leverage situations, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The decision to relieve Bednar of his duties as closer comes two days after he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning during Wednesday's loss to the Cubs. The Pirates will now use a closer-by-committee approach, making Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks likely candidates to see increased opportunities in the ninth inning.

Bednar (3-7) was charged with the loss and a blown save after he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks across 0.2 innings Wednesday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was tasked with protecting a two-run lead to begin the ninth inning. He allowed a trio of singles, the final of which was a two-run knock with the bases loaded. Since the start of August, Bednar has allowed at least one earned run in seven of his 11 appearances and a total of 13 earned runs across 10.2 frames. Aroldis Chapman was also hit hard Wednesday but has pitched better than Bednar in the second half, and he could be in line for save chances in the final month of the regular season.

Bednar earned the save against the Reds on Friday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one over a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was summoned to protect a 6-5 lead in the ninth frame and put runners on the corners with two outs before getting Elly De La Cruz to line out. It was just his third scoreless outing in nine August appearances, but the closer has converted three consecutive save chances. On the year, he is 23-for-28 in save attempts with a 5.56 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 49:16 K:BB across 45.1 innings.

Bednar (3-6) took the loss Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing a run on three hits over two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

With the game scoreless in the bottom of the ninth, Bednar allowed a pair of singles to lead off the frame. He'd manage to set down Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Jung before giving up a two-out, walk-off single to Wyatt Langford. It's the third loss in six outings for Bednar, who's allowed nine earned runs in his last nine innings. His ERA is up to 5.68 on the season with a 1.35 WHIP and 48:15 K:BB across 44.1 innings. Bednar does have 22 saves in 27 chances this year, though he could lose work in the ninth to Aroldis Chapman if his struggles continue.

Bednar struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar allowed at least one earned run in six consecutive outings from July 29 to Aug. 16, and he also blew two saves and took two losses in that span. Nevertheless, he has maintained the closer role and has now turned in consecutive scoreless appearances. If Bednar can remain on track, he should be a decent source of saves the rest of the season.