On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced the placement of their two-time All-Star closer, David Bednar, on the injured list, retroactive to Thursday. The move came as a surprise to many, especially after seeing Aroldis Chapman step in from the PNC Park bullpen on Saturday to secure a 4-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays. Chapman allowed a run but managed to save the game. Post-game, it was revealed that Bednar experienced left-side tightness and was held out as a precaution.
Injury Woes for Bednar
The precautionary measure quickly escalated into a significant concern when it was confirmed that Bednar has a tight lat muscle. This mirrors the tight right-side lat muscle issue that caused him to miss most of spring training, leading to a slow start this season. Although Bednar showed some improvement recently, including saving wins against the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies, his current record stands at 3-3 with 16 saves and a 5.17 ERA. A third consecutive All-Star selection now appears unlikely.
Bullpen Dynamics Shift
The Pirates had high hopes for their bullpen after signing Chapman to a $10.5 million contract for 2024. The bullpen, featuring returning pitchers Colin Holderman, Carmen Mlodzinski, and Ryan Borucki, was expected to be a strong point. However, the full bullpen squad has yet to be active simultaneously this season. With Bednar’s latest injury, the Pirates face another challenge as Borucki is currently on a rehab assignment following his own stint on the injured list.
Performance Overview
Among the bullpen pitchers, Holderman has been the standout, boasting a 0.68 ERA and a WHIP of .938 as of Saturday. Conversely, Chapman has struggled with consistency, as evidenced by his 4.00 ERA and 1.667 WHIP, compounded by 27 walks in 27 innings. Mlodzinski, returning from the injured list, is still finding his rhythm, currently holding a 4.50 ERA and a 1.450 WHIP.
Moving Forward
Manager Derek Shelton is unlikely to assign the closer role to a single pitcher in Bednar’s absence. Instead, he will likely rely on match-ups, with Holderman and Chapman sharing the responsibilities in the eighth and ninth innings. Chapman’s extensive closing experience and Holderman’s solid performance will be crucial during this period.
To fill Bednar’s spot on the roster, the Pirates have recalled left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl from Triple-A Indianapolis. Bruihl, who was sent down just six days prior, had shown effectiveness during his previous tenure with the Pirates, despite a misleading 6.75 ERA influenced by a rough outing against the Rockies.
This reshuffling in the bullpen will test the Pirates’ depth and resilience as they navigate the remainder of the season without their star closer.
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