Pirates Remove David Bednar as Closer

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced that David Bednar has been removed from the closer role due to ongoing struggles this season, particularly after a disastrous outing against the Chicago Cubs. Bednar, who has a 6.32 ERA and has blown six saves this year, will now work in lower-leverage situations as the team adopts a closer-by-committee approach. Shelton emphasized that this adjustment aims to alleviate pressure on Bednar, who was an All-Star in the previous two seasons but has faced health issues and inconsistent performance in 2024. Aroldis Chapman, with 325 career saves, is a leading candidate to step into the closer role temporarily, though Shelton indicated other relievers, including Kyle Nicolas and Carmen Mlodzinski, may also be considered. The Pirates' bullpen has struggled overall, reflecting a 4.58 ERA and significant blown saves this season. The team's strategy will be reassessed as they approach the September roster expansion.