Pirates option former All-Star closer Bednar to Triple-A

The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned former All-Star closer David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis as part of a series of roster moves prior to Tuesday's game.

Bednar, who recorded an NL-best 39 saves in 2023, has struggled to regain any semblance of his All-Star form since the start of the 2024 season. He owns a 6.14 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 23 saves and a 9.1 K/9 rate over that span.

The 30-year-old has allowed four runs (three earned) in one total inning of work to start 2025. Bednar failed to record an out in two of his three outings and was on the mound for two ninth-inning losses in the Pirates' opening series at Miami, including a walk-off wild pitch Sunday.

Bednar had two minor-league options remaining and less than five years of MLB service time, allowing the Bucs to send him to Indianapolis.

The Pirates acquired Bednar, a Pittsburgh native, from the San Diego Padres in January 2021 as part of the return for right-hander Joe Musgrove. He quickly broke out as a top-tier reliever in 2021 and earned his first of two straight All-Star berths the following season.

It's unclear who manager Derek Shelton will turn to in the ninth inning while Bednar's in the minors. Options he can call upon include right-handers Colin Holderman, Dennis Santana, and Justin Lawrence or southpaw Caleb Ferguson.

Pittsburgh optioned Bednar to open a spot on the active roster for the club's No. 3 prospect, Thomas Harrington, who will start Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay in his MLB debut. To open a 40-man roster spot for Harrington, catcher Jason Delay was designated for assignment.