David Bednar To Pitch For Team USA In 2023 World Baseball Classic

Pittsburgh Pirates’ All-Star closer David Bednar can add another headline to his growing résumé.

The native of Pittsburgh will be pitching for Team USA in the upcoming 2023 World Basic Classic.

Bednar, who is turning 28 years old in just a few days, was the Pirates’ lone All-Star from 2021.

Bednar posted a 2.61 ERA in 45 games covering 51.2 innings. The right-hander recorded a career-high 19 saves and struck out 69 batters.

Since debuting with his hometown team last year, Bednar is 6-5 with a sparkling 2.40 ERA and 146 strikeouts in 106 appearances.

The 2023 WBC begins on March 8 and runs through March 21, just nine days before the Pirates begin their 2023 regular season against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Team USA won its first WBC Championship in 2017, the last year the tournament was played.

The 2021 WBC was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

David Bednar joins the title defense 🙌

The Pirate is ALL IN #ForGlory🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/MyoX5cfHO6

— USA Baseball (@USABaseball) October 6, 2022