Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar is looking to bounce back in 2025.
Bednar, 30, entered last season looking to continue his run as one of the most dominant closers in baseball. The National League certainly didn’t have one who put together better numbers, as he led the league in saves and was selected to play in the 2022 and 2023 All-Star Games. Bednar fell apart in 2024, however.
The Pirates lost him for multiple weeks due to an injury during spring training, which led to persistent struggles throughout the season and removal from the closer role by the time things were wrapping up. Bednar is looking to regain that role, though, and knows he’s capable of doing so.
“I’ve never been more ready to go, dialed in and hungry to get back to who I know I am,” Bednar said Saturday, per MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf. “I know the type of pitcher I am, the type of teammate I am. I’m just really looking forward to 2025, a fresh start, and really getting back after it.”
The Pirates will lean on him for more than just the ninth inning, however, as he’ll serve as one of the veterans in an unproven bullpen.
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“If I can help them in any way, if I see something, it’s just bouncing ideas off them, just talking,” Bednar said. “Or at least saying, ‘Why are you doing this?’ If they’re at least doing it with the right intention, it’s all good. More so just trying to be a sounding board for those guys and help them any way I can, because I’ve been through ups, downs, all of it. I feel like I can relate to any situation.”
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