Yankees Closer Bednar Struggles with Velocity, Blames Weather

Despite Bednar's claims, the numbers show his velocity issues go beyond just cold temperatures.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:06pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in muted earth tones, conveying the complexity and challenges facing the Yankees' closer.A fractured, cubist-inspired illustration captures the struggles of Yankees closer David Bednar, whose velocity woes have raised concerns about the team's bullpen.NYC Today

New York Yankees closer David Bednar has seen a noticeable dip in his fastball velocity this season, leading to concerns among fans. Bednar has attributed the drop to cold weather, but a deeper look at the numbers shows his velocity issues are more than just a temporary problem.

Why it matters

As the Yankees' closer, Bednar's performance is crucial to the team's success. If he continues to struggle with velocity, it could have a significant impact on the team's bullpen and their ability to close out games. The situation also raises questions about Bednar's long-term future with the team, as he is set to become a free agent after the season.

The details

Bednar's four-seam fastball is currently averaging 95.6 mph, down from 97.1 mph last season and 97.2 mph in 2024. Despite Bednar and manager Aaron Boone attributing the velocity drop to cold weather, the numbers show the issue has persisted across multiple cities and temperature conditions. Opposing batters are hitting .375 with a .625 slugging percentage against Bednar this season, a significant decline from his 2025 numbers.

  • Bednar opened the 2026 season with back-to-back appearances against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park.
  • He then took on the Seattle Mariners once at T-Mobile Park.
  • Bednar's last three outings have come against the Miami Marlins and the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium.

The players

David Bednar

A 31-year-old right-handed pitcher and the New York Yankees' closer. Bednar is a two-time All-Star who is currently in the first year of a one-year, $9 million contract with the team.

Aaron Boone

The manager of the New York Yankees, who has expressed confidence in Bednar despite the closer's early-season struggles.

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What they’re saying

“It's early in the season and the weather [is cold]. It's nothing to panic about.”

— David Bednar, New York Yankees Closer

“(David has) been consistently in the mid-90s. This is a stretch where he's thrown a lot of pitches. I think once we get rolling into this, we'll be fine. This time, it's very cold—sometimes guys tick up and down with their heaters. But nothing I'm concerned about.”

— Aaron Boone, New York Yankees Manager

What’s next

The Yankees will look to win another series when they host the Athletics for their finale on Thursday afternoon. If given the chance to enter the game, Bednar must seize any opportunity he gets, as there won't be any room for further excuses if his lackluster velocity plays a role in another potential loss.

The takeaway

Bednar's velocity issues go beyond just cold weather, and the Yankees will need him to regain his form from last season if they want to solidify their bullpen and make a deep playoff run. The situation also raises questions about Bednar's long-term future with the team as he approaches free agency.