Making the Pirates 'unbelievable' for Mars alum David Bednar, who hopes to boost bullpen

When David Bednar made his pitch to make the Pittsburgh Pirates, it usually came down to a decision of whether to throw his four-seam fastball by hitters or make them chase his curveball.

By recording 18 strikeouts, giving up three hits and one walk without allowing a run in 10 Grapefruit League appearances, the Mars graduate made a dream come true by earning a spot on the 26-man Opening Day roster of his hometown team.

“What went into the decision? He was really good in spring training,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Bednar. “He came in, and he performed. I think that’s the most important thing. He did a really nice job, so excited to watch him in regular games.”

Less than 24 hours before the opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Shelton wasn’t ready to reveal who won the final spot in a bullpen that was overhauled in the offseason.

The Pirates parted ways with Nick Burdi, Miguel Del Pozo, Keone Kela, Dovydas Neverauskas, Nick Tropeano, Nik Turley and Brandon Waddell. They returned right-handed relievers Richard Rodriguez, Chris Stratton, Kyle Crick, Michael Feliz and Clay Holmes and lefty Sam Howard, and traded for righties Wil Crowe, Luis Oviedo and Duane Underwood Jr. The Pirates plan to start the season with 14 pitchers, which would leave nine in the bullpen.

“I think they did a really nice job in spring training,” Shelton said. “There were different options in terms of usage, different options in terms of what their pitches do and I really think that they did a good job in spring training. I’m looking forward to getting them out there in a regular-season situation.”

What the Pirates don’t have is a closer. Keone Kela was expected to handle that role last season before testing positive for covid-19 and then being sidelined by an arm injury. Shelton has suggested a closer-by-committee as a possible solution but mostly has dodged the issue.

“I think everybody in our bullpen could possibly pitch in a leverage role in some situations,” Shelton said. “We have not decided how we’re going to do it.”

The 6-foot-1, 245-pound Bednar fits the profile, collecting 39 saves in the minors before being dealt by the San Diego Padres in the Joe Musgrove trade. Bednar welcomes a chance to return home to play in front of his family and friends — his father Andy is the baseball coach at Mars — and was thrilled to share the news when he learned he made the team. Their reaction eclipsed his own.

“It was cool, man,” Bednar said. “Everybody was super excited and still hasn’t really hit. It’s unbelievable.”

Bednar still is seeking his first major league save and wants to first prove himself in whatever opportunities are presented.

“I’m just going to prepare and be ready to go at any time, be available every day,” Bednar said. “I’m just going to go and get outs whenever I’m called upon. … Ultimately, it comes down to pitching, getting outs and earning the trust of the coaching staff. It does not matter what the situation is. I want to go out and compete whenever I’m called upon.”