Previous to at this time’s 3-1 loss to the Rays, the Pirates positioned nearer David Bednar on the 15-day injured checklist resulting from a left indirect pressure. The position is retroactive to June 20. Left-hander Justin Bruihl was referred to as up from Triple-A within the corresponding transfer.
Bednar final pitched on Wednesday, and Pirates GM Ben Cherington mentioned in his weekly radio present (hat tip to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette) mentioned that the right-hander “felt somewhat one thing in his left facet” following that outing. Bednar and the group took a number of days to relaxation and consider the state of affairs, however after Bednar nonetheless felt some tightness after a throwing session, an IL journey was deemed vital.
Cherington described the position as considerably preventative, as Bednar’s pressure is taken into account comparatively gentle and there’s hope he would possibly be capable to return as soon as his minimal 15 days are up. As Cherington famous, “We want him for the most important a part of the season, as doable….Hopefully, which means it’s a brief keep on the IL, reasonably than it turning into one thing larger and it being an extended absence.”
The Bucs dropped to 37-40 after at this time’s loss, however stay simply a few video games out of a wild card berth within the very crowded NL postseason race. A sizzling week might simply get Pittsburgh right into a playoff place, although the group’s struggling lineup must begin producing, and naturally shedding their nearer for not less than 15 days received’t assist the Pirates’ probabilities.
Proprietor Bob Nutting believes his group can keep in rivalry, and just lately mentioned that the Pirates might make some additions on the July 30 commerce deadline (and probably obtain some further payroll area to make these provides). Nonetheless, given the Bucs’ lack of offense and now this hit to their bullpen, it wouldn’t be a shock if Pittsburgh explored being deadline sellers if the group can’t get on observe, or if different NL golf equipment begin to catch fireplace and create some actual area within the wild card race.
Bednar’s harm might make his commerce candidacy a moot level, however even when he did return in 15 days and the Pirates appeared to deal some gamers on the deadline, it isn’t possible that he’d be on the transfer by July 30. Whereas Bednar’s identify has lengthy been linked to commerce hypothesis, the Bucs have proven that they’re desperate to correctly finish their rebuilding interval, so it isn’t possible that they might transfer such an efficient nearer briefly order. It isn’t out of the query that the Pirates might nonetheless commerce Bednar as his price ticket continues to rise throughout his arbitration years, however that idea will possible be explored extra within the offseason than inside the subsequent month.
An All-Star the final two seasons, Bednar has a 5.17 ERA over 31 1/3 innings this yr resulting from a really tough begin. After posting an 11.45 ERA over his first 13 appearances and 11 innings, Bednar has righted the ship and delivered a 1.77 ERA throughout his final 21 video games and 20 1/3 innings.
With Bednar sidelined, Cherington mentioned it’ll be “all fingers on deck” for closing duties. Aroldis Chapman and Colin Holderman are the likeliest candidates to earn saves — Holderman has been the more practical of the 2 pitchers this season, although Chapman has an extended historical past of previous closing expertise.
The Pirates might additionally get some bullpen reinforcements coming within the type of Ryan Borucki, as the Pittsburgh Tribune-Assessment’s Kevin Gorman writes that Borucki is about to start a minor league rehab project on Tuesday. Borucki hasn’t pitched since April 5 since a case of left triceps irritation despatched him to the 15-day after which the 60-day injured checklist.