Pirates closer David Bednar added to National League All-Star roster, will make 2nd appearance

It took a few days to make it official, but Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar on Tuesday was added to the National League roster for the All-Star Game.

It will be Bednar’s second consecutive appearance in the All-Star Game, which is 8 p.m. July 11 in Seattle.

The Renegade returns.

David Bednar has been added the National League roster for the 2023 All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/65SyDMh3NH

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 4, 2023

Bednar, a Mars graduate, will replace Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, a 10-time All-Star selection and three-time Cy Young winner, who will miss the game because of shoulder soreness. Kershaw missed his scheduled start Monday in Los Angeles against the Pirates and was placed on the injured list.

As a gesture of thanks before the game, Bednar sent a cooler of IC Light to the Dodgers clubhouse for Kershaw, with a note that read, “Mr. Kershaw, Pittsburgh’s finest beer. Enjoy.”

To: Mr. Kershaw

From: David pic.twitter.com/x0jEXZjOYF

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 4, 2023

“I still can’t put it into words,” Bednar said of his All-Star selection on the AT&T SportsNet pregame show before the Pirates’ game in Los Angeles.

“It’s really humbling. I’m so blessed to have this opportunity to not only play in Pittsburgh and to have the success I’ve been having and have the opportunity to go to the All-Star Game again. It really is special, and it still blows my mind.”

With starter Mitch Keller already announced as an All-Star on Sunday, Bednar makes it at least two Pirates pitchers for the first time since 2015, when Gerrit Cole, A.J. Burnett and Mark Melancon were chosen.

Bednar’s omission when rosters were first announced Sunday was considered an unjustified snub by several national outlets.

The only way to tell a yinzer that he’s going to his second straight All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/Wg1tnjAhuU

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 4, 2023

Bednar is ranked among the best closers in the majors, recording 16 saves in 17 opportunities this season. He has a 1.44 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 31¹⁄₃ innings.

Last season, when he was named to his first All-Star Game, he compiled a season 2.89 ERA over 43 ²⁄₃ innings, with 16 saves.

Bednar added that his “day-to-day” mindset and “being processed-oriented and not getting too caught up in the results” led to his success the past two seasons.

Manager Derek Shelton said he thought all along Bednar deserved to be an All-Star. He also noted that Bednar put aside his temporary disappointment Sunday and was the first to congratulate Keller.

Bednar’s “ability to execute all the pitches” sets him apart, Shelton said. “That’s where he continues to get better.”