Prior to todays 3-1 lo s to the Rays, the Pirates placed closer on the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. The placement is retroactive to June 20. Left-hander was called up from Triple-A in the corresponding move. Bednar last pitched on Wednesday, and Pirates GM Ben Cherington said in his weekly radio show (hat tip to ) said that the right-hander felt a little something in his left side following that outing. Bednar and the team took a few days to rest and evaluate the situation, but after Bednar still felt some tightne s after a throwing se sion, an IL trip was deemed nece sary. Cherington described the placement as somewhat preventative, as Bednars strain is considered relatively mild and there is hope he might be able to return once his minimum 15 days are up. As Cherington noted, We need him for the biggest part of the season, as po sible.Hopefully, that means its a short stay on the IL, rather than it turning into something bigger and it being a longer absence . The Bucs dropped to 37-40 after todays lo s, but remain just a couple of games out of a wild card berth in the very crowded NL postseason race. A hot week could easily get Pittsburgh into a playoff position, though the teams struggling lineup will have to start producing, and naturally losing their closer for at least 15 days wont help the Pirates chances. Owner Bob Nutting believes his team can stay in contention, and that the Pirates could make some additions at the July 30 trade deadline (and po sibly receive some extra payroll space to make those adds). However, given the Bucs lack of offense and now this hit to their bullpen, it wouldnt be Luis Guerrero Jersey a surprise if Pittsburgh explored being deadline sellers if the team cant get on track, or if other NL clubs start to catch fire and create some real space in the wild card race. Bednars injury could make his trade candidacy a moot point, but even if he did return in 15 days and the Pirates looked to deal some players at the deadline, it isnt likely that hed be on the move by July 30. While Bednars name has long been linked to trade speculation, the Bucs have shown that theyre eager to properly end their rebuilding period, so it isnt likely that they would move such an effective closer in short order. It isnt out of the question that the Pirates could still trade Bednar as his price tag continues to rise during his arbitration years, but that concept will likely be explored more in the offseason than within the next month. An All-Star the last two seasons, Bednar has a 5.17 ERA over 31 1/3 innings this year due to a very rough start. After posting an 11.45 ERA over his first 13 appearances and 11 innings, Bednar has righted the ship and delivered a 1.77 ERA acro s his last 21 games and 20 1/3 innings. With Bednar sidelined, Cherington said itll be all hands on deck for closing duties. and are the likeliest candidates to earn saves Holderman has been the more effective of the two pitchers this season, though Chapman has a long history of past closing experience. The Pirates could also get some bullpen reinforcements coming in the form of , as writes that Borucki is set to begin a minor league rehab a signment on Tuesday. Borucki hasnt pitched since April 5 since a case of left triceps inflammation sent him to the 15-day and then the 60-day injured list. Ted Williams Jersey
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