rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Last year, the Yankees were at Globe Life Field when Aaron Boone opened up the closer’s role with Clay Holmes struggling. Two days later, Luke Weaver got the first chance for a save, nailed it and ran with the job into October.
On Tuesday, the Yankees were at Globe Life Field when Boone opened up the closer’s role with Devin Williams struggling. One day later, David Bednar got the first chance for a save, nailed it and … well, time will tell.
The Yankees certainly have more options to close out games this season than they did last year, but Bednar padded his case Wednesday with a gritty five-out save that helped the Yankees avoid an 0-6 road trip.
“Honestly, I’ve just been ready for the phone to ring at any point in the game,” Bednar said. “With all the guys we got down there, just a lot of talented arms and ready to go whenever. Whenever my name is called, I’m just ready to get as many outs as possible.”
Bednar has obviously proven he can close games and come back from adversity in Pittsburgh. He was a two-time All-Star and recorded 101 saves with the Pirates.
But as Williams has shown, closing games in the NL Central and doing it in pinstripes are two different things.
And while the Yankees are still trying to get to know Bednar, having him be adamant about wanting to stay in the game to finish off Wednesday’s save on 42 pitches also goes a long way in telling them about the reliever.
“I love that mentality,” Boone said. “That’s who he’s been. … You do your background work on him a little bit and hear some of the makeup reports on him and hear who he is, coupled with what we’ve gotten to know this week. This is a guy that [is], ‘Give me the ball, let’s go.’ He’s been a lot of fun to be around here this first week. We’re excited to have him obviously.”
Bednar’s first appearance as a Yankee included giving up a pair of runs that tied the game in Friday’s 13-12 disaster of a loss in Miami. But since he came back out for a second inning of work that night, he has been much sharper and looks comfortable in his new environment.
Now comes the hard part of trying to do it again when the Yankees return to The Bronx this weekend. It is possible that the Yankees stay away from Bednar on Friday, coming off his 42-pitch outing, and turn to Weaver or Camilo Doval if they are in a position to close out a game.
But so far, Bednar looks the part.
“Every time you take the mound, the objective is the same,” Bednar said. “But the position that we’re in is really exciting. I’m really excited to be part of it.”
