Results for: Closer

After a rocky start to the season, Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar has bounced back with two strong performances, recording saves in back-to-back games. Bednar threw a perfect ninth inning on Tuesday, striking out two batters and inducing a groundout to clinch a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite missing much of spring training due to injury, Bednar has shown signs of returning to his dominant form, effectively mixing his curveball, four-seam fastball, and signature splitter.

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed struggling closer Pete Fairbanks on the 15-day injured list with nerve-related issues. Fairbanks has experienced numbness in his fingers at times over the past few years, and the problem flared up again on Saturday and Sunday.

Fairbanks has had tests on his shoulder and arm, with additional testing to be done. The Rays recalled reliever Kevin Kelly from Triple-A Durham to take Fairbanks’ spot on the roster. Cash plans to fill the closer role by looking at matchups, with Colin Poche, Jason Adam, Shawn Armstrong and Garrett Cleavinger all expected to get chances.