Pirates Place Closer David Bednar on Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to fill a big void in their bullpen as they placed closing pitcher David Bednar on the 15-day injured list with a strained left oblique muscle (retro to June 20).

It was revealed by manager Derek Shelton that Bednar was dealing with left side tightness after Aroldis Chapman closed out the ninth inning of the Pirates’ 4-3 win over the Rays on Saturday.

Bednar stumbled out of the gate this season after missing most of Grapefruit League Play during spring training with a right lat injury. He’s put his early-season struggles behind him and has returned to form in the closer role for the Pirates.

The two-time All-Star has converted each of his last 15 save opportunities and has a 1.77 ERA over his last 21 appearances dating back to May 4.

On the year, the 29-year-old is 3-3 with a 5.17 ERA and 16 saves. In 31.1 innings, Bednar has struck out 32 batters and walked seven.

To take Bednar’s place on the roster, the Pirates recalled left-handed reliever Justin Bruihl from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Bruihl signed as a free agent with the Pirates earlier this month after opting out of his deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

After signing, the left-hander made six appearances and allowed four runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings pitched with one walk and four strikeouts. The Pirates optioned him to Indianapolis on June 17, where he made one scoreless appearance.