Pirates reliever David Bednar, Mars graduate, back on track after rough start to 2025 season
PITTSBURGH — From two-time All-Star to Triple-A to becoming one of the more sought-after closers as the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches.
Such is the rollercoaster Mars graduate David Bednar has been riding of late.
Yet the 30-year-old Pittsburgh Pirate relief pitcher pays no mind to the peaks and valleys.
“Just focus and lock in on the business at hand,” he said.
Bednar’s business is getting outs late in games. And he’s been pretty good at it lately.
His rough start to this season resulted in Bednar being sent to Triple-A Indianapolis in early April. When he returned to the Pirates on April 19, his earned run average for the young season was 13.50.
“I had to get back to the point where I was throwing all three of my pitches in the zone, where I wanted,” Bednar said. “They (Indianapolis pitching coach Cibney Bello and bullpen coach Joe Thatcher) were very helpful. They helped me get back to where I needed to be.”
Bednar has been where the Pirates need him to be ever since his return.
He has a 1.93 ERA in his 30 games since returning from less than a three-week stint in the minors. He allowed four hits in 42 at-bats over a recent 13-game stretch, is 12 for 12 in save opportunities this season and has not allowed an earned run in his last 15 outings.
On Thursday, he was named National League Reliever of the Month for the second time in his career.
“To go from being a two-time All-Star in the big leagues back to Triple-A would be tough on anybody,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “David handled that so well. He never blinked. He just needed a reset.”
“We kept track of what he was doing down there every day, stayed in daily contact with the coaches,” Pirate bullpen coach Miguel Perez said. “We knew he wouldn’t be down there long.”
That early-season 13.50 ERA has shrunk to 2.73. Bednar has 42 strikeouts and only nine walks in 29.2 innings pitched this season. He has 96 career saves — fifth on the Pirates’ all-time list since 1969 — despite being with the club for less than five full seasons.
Bednar trails only Kent Tekulve, Mike Williams, Dave Giusti and Mark Melancon on that list.
“My job isn’t necessarily to close games,” Bednar said. “It’s always a great feeling to get the last three outs, though it’s not always pretty, but as long as those outs come, I’m fine with it.
“Whenever that (bullpen) phone rings, I’m ready. Regardless of the game situation, I have to stay prepared to do the job when my name is called.”
Perez admires that about him.
“I’m fortunate to be able to work with him,” Perez said. “Down in the bullpen, even if it’s apparent he won’t be needed that night, David is already preparing for the next day. He was struggling early this year ... everyone goes through that ... but he never lost confidence and his hard work ethic never wavered.
“If anything, he’s elevated his game. David is pitching better than ever. Getting those outs in the ninth inning, that’s a different animal. David Bednar has the mental makeup for it. He’s so even keel. Nothing gets to him.”
Bednar figures to end this season among the top five pitchers in appearances in PNC Park history if he stays with the club. Melancon is fifth on that list with 157. Tony Watson (242), John Grabow (197), Salomon Torres (188) and Jared Hughes (161) are in front of him. Bednar has more than 140 appearances in his home park.
But with the MLB trade deadline looming at the end of the month, other teams have expressed interest in Bednar.
He remains locked in, regardless.
“I don’t pay attention to that stuff, don’t even think about it,” Bednar said. “My job is right here, right now.”
