Pirates signed LHP Erik Bedard to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.

Bedard, who turns 33 in March, posted a 3.62 ERA and 125/48 K/BB ratio over 129 1/3 innings this season between the Mariners and Red Sox. He's obviously very effective when healthy, but it will be difficult to count on him for a full season. However, that's a chance the low-budget Pirates are willing to take. We'd leave the risk to others in fantasy leagues, though.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Pirates are interested in free agent left-hander Erik Bedard.

Bedard had a semi-bounce-back season in 2011, posting a 3.62 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and striking out 125 over 129 1/3 frames while making 24 starts for the Mariners and Red Sox. He could wind up being a nice investment if he stays healthy, but as we've learned over the years with him, that's probably not going to happen.

Erik Bedard lasted just 3 1/3 innings Tuesday, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six in an 8-7 win over the Orioles.

Bedard was handed a 5-1 lead after 3 1/2 innings but failed to even get through the fourth, getting the hook after allowing a two-run homer, then a walk, then a single. Alfredo Aceves, as he's done all year, the bailed the Red Sox out by throwing 3 2/3 solid innings. Bedard finishes the year with a 3.62 ERA and 1.28 WHIP while striking out 125 over 129 1/3 frames, but he once again dealt with injuries and struggled down the stretch. The Sox will likely be forced to use him in the playoffs, anyway.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona confirmed that Erik Bedard will not start against the Yankees on Sunday.

Bedard was floated as a possibility for the start, but he has been ruled out after giving up four runs -- one earned -- over just 2 2/3 innings Tuesday night against the Orioles. Francona says Sunday's starter is "still up in the air," but right now we're guessing John Lackey may get the assignment.

Erik Bedard was yanked early after allowing four runs -- one earned -- over 2 2/3 innings against the Orioles on Tuesday.

In his first start since September 3, he gave up five hits and two walks and didn't strike out a batter. Bedard ran up 76 pitches before hitting the shower, though Josh Reddick's error that led to three unearned runs obviously played a factor. We wonder if Bedard was healthy enough to take the hill tonight and question if he should be handed the ball for a start again this season. Either Bedard or John Lackey will start Sunday's series finale against the Orioles. We'd put our money on Lackey.

Either Erik Bedard or John Lackey will start Sunday's series finale against the Orioles.

Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield will start the first two games. If Bedard manages to make it through Tuesday's start in one piece, he should be the obvious choice to start Sunday. If he does get the call, Lackey will be pushed back to Monday for another start against the Orioles.

Erik Bedard (knee) will rejoin the rotation Tuesday for a start against the Orioles.

The left-hander has been sidelined for all of September while nursing a knee problem. He had been making little progress but threw a successful bullpen session Saturday and has been cleared to return to action. Given how little he's thrown the last few weeks, he'll likely be on a limited pitch count against the O's and should be avoided for fantasy purposes.

Erik Bedard (knee) had a successful bullpen session Saturday.

The Red Sox aren't eliminating Bedard as an option to pitch one of the games of Monday's doubleheader, but in all likelihood, he won't be ready yet. It does sound like he's finally progressing, though, and a return before the end of the season is likely.

Erik Bedard (knee) will throw a bullpen session Saturday.

It's possible, but not likely, that Bedard could get a start during Monday's doubleheader if the session goes well. It's more likely that he'll get a start at some point later in the week, assuming he doesn't have any setbacks. Bedard has been sidelined all month due to his nagging knee injury.

Erik Bedard (lat muscle) did some light tossing off flat ground Tuesday.

Bedard is still experiencing some point tenderness and won't resume throwing off a mound until the area is pain-free. "It's always frustrating," said Bedard. "I can't say anything more. I'm just day to day. . I've been through it before. It's the same process. Day to day, and go from there when it's time." Red Sox manager Terry Francona is hopeful that Bedard will be able to return for Monday's doubleheader against the Orioles, but we won't know anything official until he throws from a mound.

Erik Bedard (knee, lat) has yet to resume throwing and is expected to miss another start.

Bedard has been nursing a sore left knee, which is the same knee that caused him to miss a month of action earlier this season. He also has a strained lat. "He's improving. The one thing we don't want to do is rush him back,'' Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "It's so easy to make mistakes when you feel like you're kind of getting thin. We're going to try and do the best we can and get these guys healthy so they can really help us.''

Erik Bedard, already scratched from his scheduled start because of left knee soreness, is also dealing with a strained left lat muscle.

It's believe the new problem is a result of compensating for the old one. Bedard still might be ready to rejoin the Boston rotation next week, but no one should be counting on it.

The Red Sox will skip Erik Bedard's next start.

Bedard felt soreness in his left knee after throwing four scoreless innings Saturday in a rain-soaked defeat of the A's. It's not a major injury, but the Red Sox want the veteran left-hander to be at full strength down the stretch. He has a 3.46 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in five starts since joining Boston.

Erik Bedard threw four scoreless innings Saturday in a rain-soaked victory over the A's.

Bedard walked four Oakland hitters, but he operated well in damage control and racked up five strikeouts before his night was cut short by the effects of Hurricane Irene. The veteran left-hander still doesn't have a win in a Red Sox uniform, but he has not pitched poorly.

Erik Bedard remained winless with the Red Sox despite pitching well Tuesday, allowing three runs - one earned - on seven hits over six innings in a defeat at the hands of the Rays.

The left-hander struck out six and walked no one. He was hurt by an error by Jed Lowrie in the first inning that led to the first two runs being scored off him and later served up a solo shot to Desmond Jennings. Though he's yet to register a "W," Bedard boasts a 3.38 ERA and 17/4 K/BB ratio over 16 innings since joining the Sox. He'll get the Royals over the weekend.

Erik Bedard was unspectacular in his Boston debut Thursday, giving up three runs in 5.0 innings in a no-decision.

The newly acquired lefty struck out five and walked none, but gave up seven hits. His fantasy outlook for the rest of the season is completely dependent on his health, and considering the Sox only allowed him to throw 70 pitches tonight, it's clear they're going to baby Bedard as to avoid losing him to the D.L. The fragile southpaw draws a favorable start next time out against the Twins.

Erik Bedard is scheduled to debut for the Red Sox on Thursday night against the Indians.

Boston acquired the veteran left-hander Sunday in a seven-player, three-team trade with the Dodgers and Mariners. Bedard posted a 3.45 and 1.17 WHIP in 16 starts for Seattle. He's a bit of a wild card now on the East Coast, but he should maintain a decent level of fantasy value.

Red Sox acquired LHP Erik Bedard and RHP Josh Fields from the Mariners in Sunday's seven-player trade.

Bedard is notoriously rude to the media and could struggle in that regard on the East Coast, but he's posted a 3.45 ERA and 1.17 WHIP this season for the Mariners and should do well in Boston if he can maintain good health. The veteran left-hander boasts a 3.69 career ERA and an 8.8 career K/9.

Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reports that the Red Sox have acquired left-hander Erik Bedard.

Bedard was shelled for five runs in less than two innings Friday in a "showcase" start against the Rays, but he still has a 3.45 ERA and 1.17 WHIP on the year, and his command should improve as he gets further and further away from his knee injury.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cardinals are talking to the Mariners about Erik Bedard.

Rosenthal says the "ball (is) in (the) Cardinals' court." The Cards have already acquired Edwin Jackson and Rafael Furcal, as well as bullpen help, and are also reportedly still in on Heath Bell, so it's clear they're in "win now" mode with this possibly being Albert Pujols' final season in St. Louis. Bedard's first start back from the DL went poorly, but he'd still be a fine addition as long as he stays healthy.