Yankees right-hander Clay Holmes and Pirates righty David Bednar were named the Relievers of the Month for May on Friday.
Holmes, who was part of Pittsburgh’s bullpen with Bednar before being dealt to New York last July, has been serving as the Yankees’ closer since Aroldis Chapman went on the injured list with a left Achilles issue.
Holmes threw 14 scoreless innings in May and allowed eight hits with 15 strikeouts and no walks, going 3-0 with four saves to earn American League Reliever of the Month honors.
Bednar, meanwhile, has excelled as the Pirates’ closer this season, and he saved seven games in May to go with a 1.65 ERA, 21 strikeouts and two walks in 16 1/3 innings, leading to the National League Reliever of the Month nod. Four of his seven save conversions in May were four-plus outs.