Bednar (1-0) earned the victory and blew a save against Miami on Sunday, allowing one run on one hit in his lone inning of work. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar came into the game with a one-run lead looking to earn his first save of the season but allowed a game-tying pinch-hit home run to Nick Gordon. The Pirates then scored twice in the 10th to secure the victory for Bednar. The Pirates' closer did not pitch in the first two games of the series after coming out of spring training with a lat injury, but he worked back-to-back days Saturday and Sunday, which is a great sign for his status moving forward.

Bednar (lat) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one across a scoreless inning Saturday against Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was unavailable to pitch on Opening Day in a save situation due to ongoing recovery from a lat injury. However, he entered Saturday's game in the ninth inning with a six-run lead. Though it wasn't a save situation, Bednar had no issues recording the final three outs of the game and should be available as Pittsburgh's closer moving forward.

Bednar was unavailable to pitch Thursday against the Marlins due to ongoing rehab from a lat injury, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was sidelined for much of spring training with a lat issue, though he managed to make his Grapefruit League debut March 21 while making an additional appearance on March 24. He hasn't been placed on the injured list, so Pittsburgh presumably expects him to be game ready soon.

Bednar (lat) allowed two hits and struck out one across a scoreless inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has been sidelined by lat tightness for just over two weeks, though he has downplayed the seriousness of the injury. Per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bednar's pitches looked sharp and his fastball sat consistently at 97 mph. It's expected that he will be ready for Opening Day.

Bednar (lat) will make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday against the Blue Jays, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar first developed some right lat tightness in early March but has been progressing nicely since then. The closer has said previously that he was optimistic about ramping up in time for Opening Day, and his return to game action certainly helps his case.

Bednar (lat) said Thursday he is tracking toward being available for Opening Day, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game after developing some early-camp right lat tightness, but he threw a live batting practice session Monday and is slated for a game appearance next. Even if the closer is indeed ready for Opening Day, it's possible the Pirates will avoid using him on back-to-back days initially. That could allow for some early-season save chances for Aroldis Chapman, as well.

Bednar (lat) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

It will be his first time throwing from the bump since some right lat tightness cropped up at the beginning of the month. Bednar has not made an appearance in a Grapefruit League game this spring, but that seemingly should come soon if things go well Friday. He could still have time to ramp up for Opening Day, but it will be close.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Bednar (lat) will throw off a mound in the coming days, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar has progressed to 120 feet with his flat-ground throwing and is almost ready to get back on the mound as he works his way back from right lat tightness. He doesn't have much time to get ready for Opening Day, but working in his favor is the fact that as a one-inning reliever, he requires a shorter ramp-up period than others. If Bednar needs time on the injured list to begin the season, Aroldis Chapman would fill in as the Pirates' closer.

Manager Derek Shelton said Sunday that Bednar (lat) played catch for the second straight day and that everything felt good, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar was shut down from throwing activities March 4 after feeling tightness in his lats, but the right-hander appears to be on the right track in his rehab. If Bednar is forced to miss time to start the season, Aroldis Chapman figures to fill the closer role while the former progresses through his recovery.

Bednar (lat) is currently shut down from throwing but hopes to be back soon, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bednar is dealing with some tightness in his right lat but seems optimistic he won't need a long-term absence. Injury optimism from players should be taken with a grain of salt, of course, and those that have already rostered Bednar in fantasy leagues might want to consider late-round insurance of Aroldis Chapman just in case.