DAVID BEDNAR NEWS

Luis Arráez caps 3-run 9th with RBI double, Padres rally for 7-6 win and series sweep of Pirates

Luis Arráez hit an RBI double to cap a three-run ninth inning that put the San Diego Padres ahead for a 7-6 win and series sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Blows save Wednesday Bednar blew a save opportunity against the Padres on Wednesday, giving up one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter over one inning.

Impact Bednar entered in the top of the ninth frame with the Pirates clinging to a one-run lead. He retired one batter before Jackson Merrill knotted the score with a solo shot to center field. Bednar then got into more trouble with a hit-by-pitch and a walk, but he was able to bounce back with consecutive outs to send the game into an extra inning. The blown save was his first since April 9 and just his third in 23 chances this season. That's a perfectly acceptable save percentage, but Bednar hasn't been as sharp this year as in seasons past, as evidenced by his 5.17 ERA and 1.23 WHIP through 38.1 innings.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Escapes with save No. 20 Bednar recorded his 20th save of the season in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Diamondbacks, giving up one run on two hits and one walk over one inning. He struck out two.

Impact Entrusted with a 4-1 lead in the ninth inning, Bednar fanned the first two batters he faced before a Geraldo Perdomo double kicked off an Arizona rally that saw Alek Thomas come to the plate as the potential winning run, only to fly out. Bednar has been charged with a run in five of his last 10 appearances, but he's still converted all seven of his save chances during that stretch -- in fact, the right-hander hasn't blown a save since April 9.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Bryan Reynolds, Joey Bart homer in the Pirates' 4-2 victory over the Diamondbacks

Bryan Reynolds and Joey Bart homered and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 on Saturday night

AUGUST 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shaky in 19th save Bednar allowed a run on two hits and two walks over one inning, earning the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros.

Impact Bednar had a three-run lead to protect, but he made things hairy. He allowed three straight batters to reach with one out, then walked Yordan Alvarez with the bases loaded and two outs. Yainer Diaz's popout ended the threat as Bednar escaped with his third save over five appearances since he returned from an oblique strain. The right-hander is 19-for-22 in save chances this year despite a 4.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB over 36.1 innings.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Shaky in 19th save Bednar allowed a run on two hits and two walks over one inning, earning the save in Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros.

Impact Bednar had a three-run lead to protect, but he made things hairy. He allowed three straight batters to reach with one out, then walked Yordan Alvarez with the bases loaded and two outs. Yainer Diaz's popout ended the threat as Bednar escaped with his third save over five appearances since he returned from an oblique strain. The right-hander is 19-for-22 in save chances this year despite a 4.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 36:10 K:BB over 36.1 innings.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up save No. 18 Bednar pitched a scoreless ninth inning to notch his 18th save of the season, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out one batter.

Impact Bednar allowed a two-out single to Paul Goldschmidt but he promptly struck out Nolan Gorman to secure the win for Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old has rebounded from a tough start to the season, logging a 2.45 ERA and converting all seven save chances since June 1. Bednar still owns a 4.98 ERA on the season, but his 1.08 WHIP points to a potential post All-Star break turnaround.

JULY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up save No. 18 Bednar pitched a scoreless ninth inning to notch his 18th save of the season Monday against the Cardinals, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out one batter.

Impact Bednar allowed a two-out single to Paul Goldschmidt but he promptly struck out Nolan Gorman to secure the win for Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old has rebounded from a tough start to the season, logging a 2.45 ERA and converting all seven of his save chances since June 1. Bednar still owns a 4.98 ERA on the season, but his 1.08 WHIP is more reflective of his performance.

JULY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Secures save in return from IL Bednar struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Friday to record his 17th save of the season in a 4-1 win over the White Sox.

Impact Activated from the IL earlier in the day after recovering from an oblique strain that cost him nearly a month of action, Bednar fired nine of 12 pitches for strikes while topping out at 97.1 mph with his fastball. Aroldis Chapman had a 4.70 ERA over 7.2 innings in his absence while converting three of four save chances, and he should return to set-up duties now that Bednar is healthy.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzales returns from injury to help the Pirates win their 2nd straight, 4-1 over the White Sox

Marco Gonzales made a promising return to the rotation hours after coming off the injured list and the Pittsburgh Pirates won their second straight, 4-1 over the White Sox on Frida...

JULY 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Back from injured list The Pirates reinstated Bednar (oblique) from the 15-day injured list Friday.

Impact The right-hander delivered a scoreless frame in his lone rehab appearance with Double-A Altoona on Tuesday, and that's apparently all the Pirates needed to see before bringing him back from the injured list. Bednar missed about three weeks due to the oblique strain, and he should reclaim closing duties from Aroldis Chapman now that he's healthy.

JULY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Completes clean inning Bednar (oblique) didn't allow a baserunner and struck out one in a scoreless inning of work in a rehab appearance Tuesday with Double-A Altoona.

Impact Bednar was originally scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Indianapolis, but weather concerns shifted his appearance to Altoona. Regardless, it was a positive outing and he is presumably nearing a return to the big-league mound.

JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for rehab assignment Bednar (oblique) has been sent to Double-A Altoona to begin a rehab assignment.

Impact Bednar has missed the last two-plus weeks with a left oblique strain but was cleared for rehab games after getting through a bullpen session over the weekend with no issues. It's possible he requires just the one rehab appearance before being activated, although with the All-Star break looming the Pirates also have the option of taking things a little slower with their closer.

JULY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Heading out for rehab assignment Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that he anticipates Bednar (oblique) reporting to Triple-A Indianapolis this week to begin a rehab assignment, Kevin Gorman of Tr...

Impact Bednar has been on the 15-day injured list since June 23 with a left oblique strain, but he's on the cusp of a return after he threw a 21-pitch live batting practice session Saturday without incident. Cherington didn't say whether Bednar would require more than one rehab appearance with Indianapolis, but with the All-Star break looming, it wouldn't be surprising if the Pirates waited until the start of their second-half schedule July 19 before activating their closer.

JULY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Throws 21 pitches Saturday Bednar (oblique) threw 21 pitches in a live batting practice Saturday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact Bednar utilized all three of his pitches in Saturday's session as he faced live batters for the first time in his rehab program. It's another positive step for the 29-year-old as he works his way back from a left oblique strain. Bednar appeared in 34 games before landing on the injured list June 23, earning 16 saves with a 5.17 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Throws 21 pitches Saturday Bednar (oblique) threw 21 pitches in live batting practice Saturday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact Bednar utilized all three of his pitches in Saturday's session as he faced live batters for the first time in his rehab program. It's another positive step for the 29-year-old as he works his way back from a left oblique strain. Bednar appeared in 34 games before landing on the injured list June 23, earning 16 saves with a 5.17 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB across 31.1 innings.

JULY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing bullpen session Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Tuesday that Bednar (oblique) has progressed to throwing from 120 feet and should soon resume mound work, Andrew Destin of the...

Impact The right-hander was briefly shut down from throwing after he landed on the injured list June 23 with an oblique strain, Bednar will be eligible to be reinstated to the active roster soon but could spend more than the 15-day minimum on the shelf since he's yet to get back on the mound. However, he doesn't appear to be in for a lengthy absence and may be able to rejoin the Pirates before the All-Star break.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Progressing, but timeline unknown Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Bednar is making progress in his recovery from a left oblique strain, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Though Cherington struck an optimistic tone about Bednar's health, the two-time All-Star doesn't appear to have a concrete timeline to return from the 15-day injured list. Bednar is first eligible for activation next weekend, but since he has yet to resume throwing since landing on the shelf, he wouldn't appear on track for a return in the minimum amount of time.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Bednar heads to IL with strained left oblique PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates placed two-time All-Star closer David Bednar on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with a strained left oblique, re...

JUNE 23 • MLB.COM

Pirates closer David Bednar on 15-day injured list with strained oblique

David Bednar was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday with a strained left oblique muscle

JUNE 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Placed on IL The Pirates placed Bednar on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a strained left oblique, retroactive to Thursday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bednar reported feeling tightness in his side during his throwing session before Saturday's game and wasn't available to pitch in the game. His injury was initially believed to be relatively minor, so it's possible the 29-year-old reliever will be able to return after a minimum-length stay on the IL. Until then, Aroldis Chapman will likely see the majority of save opportunities, and Justin Bruihl will come up from Triple-A to replenish the Pirates' bullpen depth.

JUNE 23 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on IL The Pirates placed Bednar on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a strained left oblique, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Impact Bednar reported feeling tightness in his side during his throwing session before Saturday's contest against the Rays and wasn't available to pitch in the game. His injury was initially believed to be relatively minor, so it's possible the 29-year-old reliever will be able to return after a minimum-length stay on the IL. Until then, Aroldis Chapman will likely see the majority of save opportunities, and Justin Bruihl will come up from Triple-A to replenish the Pirates' bullpen depth.

JUNE 23 • ROTOWIRE

Wasn't available Saturday Bednar was unavailable for Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rays due to left side tightness, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Bednar missed out on a save chance Saturday as Aroldis Chapman stepped up in the ninth to close out the win. Bednar's absence was planned after he felt the tightness during his pregame throwing program, but the injury isn't considered to be serious at this point. If he ends up missing more than just Saturday's game, expect Chapman to continue to see save chances.

JUNE 22 • ROTOWIRE

Wasn't available Saturday Bednar was unavailable for Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rays due to left side tightness, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Bednar missed out on a save chance Saturday as Aroldis Chapman stepped up in the ninth to close out the win. Bednar's absence was planned after feeling the tightness during his pregame throwing program but the injury isn't considered to be serious at this point. If he ends up missing more than just Saturday's game, expect Chapman to continue to see save chances.

JUNE 22 • ROTOWIRE

'We've got a lot of dudes in here with good stuff.' The Pirates' pitching staff is growing up fast

The Pittsburgh Pirates are starting to gain momentum thanks to a pitching staff that is coming of age

JUNE 19 • ASSOCIATED PRESS