Manager Derek Shelton said Friday that Bednar will be temporarily removed from the closer role and pitch in lower-leverage situations, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
The decision to relieve Bednar of his duties as closer comes two days after he allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks in just two-thirds of an inning during Wednesday's loss to the Cubs. The Pirates will now use a closer-by-committee approach, making Aroldis Chapman and Jalen Beeks likely candidates to see increased opportunities in the ninth inning.