All-Star Closer Continues To Struggle, Needs Another Role

After blowing three saves in four opportunities, the Pittsburgh Pirates should consider another role for closer David Bednar for now. Bednar, an All-Star in 2022 and 2023, is struggling early in the 2024 season. After blowing the save against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, the popular local product from Mars (the Pittsburgh suburb, not the planet) was booed off the field by the home crowd for perhaps the first time.

All-Star Closer Continues To Struggle, Needs Another Role

Rough Start to the Season for Bednar

Bednar’s three blown saves so far in 2024 equal his total for all of 2023. He was bothered by lat tightness in the spring and pitched just two innings in the exhibition games. He was deemed unavailable for the Opening Day game in Miami against the Marlins. When a save opportunity arose in the bottom of the 12th, manager Derek Shelton turned to young Jose Hernandez to nail down the victory. In the fourth game of the season, Bednar was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a 7-6 lead. He surrendered a game-tying homer to Miami’s Nick Gordon in a game the Pirates would eventually win in 10 innings.

Bednar earned a save in Washington last Thursday. However, on Saturday, at home against the Baltimore Orioles, the right-hander blew another save in the ninth inning. This time, he was protecting a 3-2 lead when he allowed two one-out singles and uncorked a wild pitch. The tying run would score on a fielder’s choice. The Pirates won that game, too, in 11 innings. By this point, no harm, no foul.

A Most Demoralizing Loss For The Pirates

However, the result against the Tigers on Tuesday was different. It’s become evident the Pirates must find another role for Bednar. The Pirates lost 5-3, and Bednar wasted the best start of the season by a Pirates pitcher. Martìn Pèrez pitched like he was in the proverbial rocking chair. The veteran lefty completed eight innings, during which he surrendered one run, six hits, and no walks. Shelton turned the game over to Bednar for the ninth due to Pèrez’s pitch count.

At once, Bednar had no command whatsoever. There was a walk, three singles, two hit batters (by curveballs), and four runs before he was removed. Whether he was throwing his four-seamer, splitter, or curve, none found the strike zone. Several pitches missed the strike zone by large margins. It was like watching Steve Blass when he lost his ability to throw strikes in 1973. Bednar recorded just one out; his ERA now stands at an unsightly 12.46.

The Next Step For The Pirates and Bednar

After the game, before Bednar could address the media, Rowdy Tellez stepped up and defended his teammate. He pointed out that Bednar was a two-time All-Star and said the Pirates had to play better as a team. Once he was able to take the floor, Bednar proclaimed himself healthy. Thus, the issue behind his ineffectiveness must be the lack of work in the spring.

It’s time for the Pirates to give Bednar another, lesser role so he can right himself without costing them games. It makes no sense for Bednar to go through what amounts to an extended spring training in save situations. At 9-3, the Pirates still have the best record in the National League due to a hot start. However, Thursday begins a four-game series in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Citizens Bank Park hasn’t been kind to the Pirates in recent years. Since 2018, the Pirates are 4-13 there. This won’t be a weekend for uncertainty in the closer’s role.

Enter Chapman And Holderman

Aroldis Chapman has been the Pirates’ best reliever so far in 2024. In six appearances covering 4-1/3 innings, he’s struck out eight batters and hasn’t given up a run. He’s consistently touching triple digits on the radar gun. His WHIP is a miniscule .231. At age 36, he looks silly, posing and glaring at the batter after a strikeout. But that’s the only complaint that can be made about his game so far. Chapman was ostensibly acquired to be Bednar’s eighth-inning setup man, allowing others to be bumped down in the food chain and resulting in a shorter game. Another unspoken but obvious reason was so Chapman could step into the closer’s role if Bednar were injured or ineffective. That time is now.

After the Tuesday game, the Pirates dispatched Ryder Ryan to the minors. The corresponding move has not been announced, but all indications are Colin Holderman will be coming off the injured list. The return of last year’s eighth-inning specialist will enable Chapman to take on the closer role without the Pirates missing a beat.

The Last Word

Bednar’s two years as an All-Star were no fluke. Before he was traded to the Pirates by the San Diego Padres, his worst ERA in the minors was 2.95. Nothing in his record suggests that the 29-year-old’s career will take a nosedive. He should be able to reclaim his closer’s duties soon enough and be considered an elite closer once again. For now, the Pirates should consider another role for Bednar where he can work out his issues in lower-leverage situations.