Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Pirates have made a roster move by placing left-hander Tim Mayza on the 15-day injured list due to a lat muscle strain. Former closer David Bednar has been called up to fill the vacancy on the active roster.
A significant development in this roster change is the return of Bednar, who previously served as the Pirates’ closer for the majority of the 2022-24 seasons. Despite struggles in the previous year, Bednar showed promise in previous seasons as an All-Star with impressive statistics. However, his performance declined in the recent past, leading to uncertainties about his future with the team.
Bednar’s return to the majors was influenced by his strong performance in the minor leagues, where he displayed dominance over opponents. Although his role in the team is not clearly defined, Manager Derek Shelton expressed enthusiasm about having Bednar back in the bullpen, highlighting the potential impact he can make on the team’s performance.
The Pirates’ bullpen situation remains uncertain, with Bednar’s return adding a layer of complexity to their pitching strategies. While the team’s relief corps shows average statistics by ERA and FIP compared to other teams, advanced metrics indicate room for improvement, especially in late-inning situations.
The loss of Mayza further complicates the Pirates’ bullpen dynamics, as the experienced left-hander has been a reliable reliever for the team in the early stages of the season. Despite this setback, the Pirates still have left-handed options available in Ferguson and Borucki, along with Wentz for long relief situations.
As Pittsburgh navigates through bullpen challenges and seeks stability in pitching roles, the return of Bednar and the absence of Mayza present opportunities for reshaping the team’s pitching strategies moving forward. With a focus on leveraging strengths and matchups, the Pirates aim to maximize the potential of their bullpen assets to improve overall performance on the field.