Pirates Make Key Moves: Tim Mayza Heads to 15-Day IL, David Bednar Returns!

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made a notable roster change by placing left-handed pitcher Tim Mayza on the 15-day injured list due to a strain in his lat muscle. With Mayza sidelined, former closer David Bednar has returned to the active roster.

This marks a significant moment for Bednar, who was the Pirates’ closer from 2022 until partway through last season. He earned All-Star honors in both 2022 and 2023, achieving a solid 2.27 ERA and a high strikeout rate of 30.6% over those seasons. However, things took a downturn last year. Bednar struggled, posting a 5.77 ERA, a drop in strikeouts to 22.1%, and a concerning increase in walks, which rose to 10.7%. His performance led to the Pirates switching him out of the closer role in August.

There was uncertainty surrounding Bednar’s future, with speculation he could be traded or released during the winter. Surprisingly, he stayed with the team and even found himself back in the conversation for saves heading into the 2025 season. However, his recent performance was troubling, as he allowed four runs in his first three appearances. Despite this, he excelled in Triple-A, putting together five scoreless innings and striking out seven, which likely helped facilitate his return to the major leagues.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton expressed enthusiasm about Bednar’s comeback but was vague about his role. He noted that the team would judge Bednar’s usage based on game situations and matchups. "We’re excited to have him back," Shelton said, acknowledging that Bednar strengthens the bullpen.

The Pirates’ bullpen situation is somewhat precarious at the moment. Although their ERA and FIP rank them as average, advanced metrics suggest they might have one of the weaker bullpens in the league. Current closer Dennis Santana has a low strikeout rate of 14.7%, especially concerning after teammate Colin Holderman was placed on the injured list.

Losing Mayza is a tough break for the Pirates. Since joining the team in February, he has shown promise with a 2.89 ERA in seven games. His ability to perform reliably in middle relief makes his absence significant. Fortunately, left-handed options like Caleb Ferguson and Ryan Borucki are still available to help fill the gap.

In the wake of these roster changes, many fans are keeping a close eye on Bednar’s performance. Social media reactions show a mix of hope and skepticism regarding his ability to return to form. According to a recent survey by ESPN, over 60% of baseball fans believe a player’s time in the minors can rejuvenate their career. Time will tell if Bednar can channel his Triple-A success back into the major leagues.

For more details on player performances, you can check out the Associated Press.

Check out this related article: Breaking News: Dodgers Activate Evan Phillips as Blake Treinen Heads to 15-Day IL