Home / Sports / Yankees Closer Bednar On Paternity Leave; Bird Recalled
Yankees Closer Bednar On Paternity Leave; Bird Recalled
30 Jun
Summary
- David Bednar is on paternity leave, prompting Jake Bird's recall.
- Bednar has 16 saves and a 3.09 ERA in 33 relief appearances this season.
- Bird returns after recent scoreless outings in Triple-A.
The New York Yankees have made a roster move, placing right-handed closer David Bednar on the paternity list. To fill his spot, the team recalled right-handed pitcher Jake Bird from their Triple-A affiliate, Scranton Wilkes-Barre. This move comes just ahead of the Yankees' home series opener against the Detroit Tigers on Monday.
As of June 30, 2026, Bednar, aged 31, has been a significant contributor this season. He has amassed 16 saves and maintained a 3.09 earned run average over 33 relief appearances. His career statistics across eight major league seasons include 20 wins, 127 saves, and a 3.14 ERA in 348 relief appearances for several clubs.
Jake Bird, 30, rejoins the major league club after starting the season with a 1-1 record and a 4.88 ERA in 29 relief appearances before his recent option to Triple-A. Since his demotion, Bird has demonstrated strong performance, pitching three consecutive scoreless outings for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. His major league career spans five seasons, with a record of 12-12 and a 4.78 ERA in 220 appearances.
