Video will enhance Bednar’s entrance
At a certain point, a closer earns his way to an entrance video. With that being the case, right-hander David Bednar has been on his way for a while.
After bursting onto the scene last year, finding his way into high-leverage, lateinning roles, he has picked up right where he left off this season. Manager Derek Shelton has called on him in all sorts of situations, from ninth-inningstandard save opportunities to general late-inning relief in big spots.
In Saturday’s win over the Cincinnati Reds, Bednar entered with two outs in the eighth. As he was jogging in from the bullpen, the PNC Park jumbotron finally donned an entrance video to the tune of “Renegade” by Styx,Bednar’s warmup music portraying his Pittsburgh roots. He then proceeded to record four consecutive outs and his MLB-best third multiinning save of the season.
So if the on-field performance hadn’t already proven that Bednar is becoming a Pirates staple, he now has the closer’s entrance to back him up.
“They showed it to me the day before, and [on Saturday] I kind of peeked just to see if they actually were playing it,” Bednar said. “But they absolutely crushed it, Oh my God.”
“They,” in this case, is Pirates video producer Madison Mueller and director of story and production Sterling McLean, who shot and edited the video together.
It really is remarkable to consider that it only seemed a matter of time before Bednar got the full, jumbotron, ninthinning treatment, considering how he came to the Pirates. He joined his hometown team in the Joe Musgrove trade two offseasons ago. Though Bednar seemed the most MLBready prospect who came back in that deal, he also wasn’t really the headliner.
General manager Ben Cherington said Sunday on his radio show with 93.7 The Fan that the Pirates liked Bednar, but they thought he was undervalued, making it more likely they could get him in a trade, even if he wasn’t the consensus top prospect coming back.
“We saw an opportunity to include him in the deal without him needing to be the first player,” Cherington said. “Of course, he might not want to hear that, but I would tell him that and he would be fine. We’re so glad we did, because he’s obviously performed really well. He’s an exceptional human being, a lot of fun to be around, incredible competitor but also doesn’t take himself too seriously all the time, and that’s a nice combination.”
Why wouldn’t Bednar be in a good mood most the time? The 27-year-old has a 1.00 ERA through 18 innings this season. Prior to Sunday, he had struck out at least one batter in each of his first 14 appearances this season, and his 25 strikeouts on the year were tied for fifth most among all MLB relievers.
Now, he has the entrance video befitting a reliever of his quality, and he’s doing it all in front of his actual hometown crowd.
“It still hasn’t worn off, and I don’t think it ever will,” Bednar said. “I still have to pinch myself every day.”
Newman nearing return
Shortstop Kevin Newman has not played since April 26, out with a left groin strain. Over that time, he has still been in Pittsburgh, working out on the field prior to games and taking part in batting practice. From his movements, he has appeared close to full health.
Cherington pretty much confirmed that notion, saying that the Pirates expect Newman to head out on a rehab assignment in the upcoming week.
“He’ll get back into games, get his innings volume up and hopefully be up in Pittsburgh before too long,” Cherington said. “We’re excited about that. We know how important he is in stabilizing our middle infield defense and really were encouraged by some of the adjustments he’s made offensively over the offseason and spring training and carrying it into the season.”
Yajure update
Since being optioned May 2 to Class AAA Indianapolis, right- hander Miguel Yajure has made just two appearances. The first was a two-inning shutout May 8. The most recent was troubling.
On Saturday night, Yajure started but couldn’t get out of the first inning. He allowed two earned runs on a homer and four walks before exiting. Cherington says Yajure felt some discomfort in his hip and lower back. That’s similar to the injury that landed him on the 60-day injured list in June 2021, but Cherington says early signs point to the two issues being unrelated.
“He just wasn’t able to be himself in that first inning,” Cherington said. “We’ve got to check on Miguel and get our hands around what’s going on there. We don’t think it’s serious, but it was bothering him.”