PITTSBURGH -- The Renegade is back.

David Bednar was activated off the injured list and made his first appearance in nearly two months, allowing an earned run on two hits and a walk in the seventh inning of the Pirates’ 3-2 loss to the Cubs on Thursday night at PNC Park. “Renegade” by Styx, the soundtrack to Bednar's entrance, may have blared throughout the ballpark earlier than expected, but Bednar was happy to be back regardless.

“It was awesome to get back out there again,” he said. “Obviously don't want to give up runs, but it kind of comes with it. A little rusty, but as the inning got on, I felt more comfortable and got more of that game-speed-type look to it. I felt good, but was just missing just a little bit. Just a little bit off, but that'll come as I shake some rust off and get back at it next time."

Bednar wasn’t all that sharp in his first Major League outing since July 29: the velocity on his fastball and curve were 2 mph slower than his season average. Bednar’s location was inconsistent as well. Both he and manager Derek Shelton attributed the velocity dip and lack of command to rust, and Bednar added that he wasn’t worried.

“Body feels good, and just getting ready for the next time, sharpen it up and get some outs again,” Bednar said.

Despite Bednar not being all that sharp, the Pirates were glad to have him back in the mix. As he entered the game, the first-time All-Star had a 2.70 ERA and 2.49 FIP across 46 2/3 innings, with 17 saves in 21 opportunities. Bednar’s absence has been particularly noticeable during high-leverage situations over the last couple weeks.

From July 30 to Sept. 21, the Pirates bullpen has posted a 12.27 ERA in high-leverage situations, with opponents batting .321/.426/.560. Pittsburgh’s late-inning struggles came to a head on Tuesday, when the Pirates blew a four-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning to the Yankees, capped off by Giancarlo Stanton’s walk-off grand slam.

“Anytime you're on the [injured list] and you see your team lose a close game, especially in the spot there where you would be pitching, you always want to be out there helping the guys,” Bednar said. “That's the stuff that always kind of gets to you. Just being healthy again and [going] out there and [competing] with them, because they've been playing their butts off. Getting back there and finishing the season strong is really important to me.”

Those numbers are not due to Bednar’s absence alone. Yerry De Los Santos, who has two holds and three saves, has not pitched since Aug. 11 and will miss the remainder of the season. Colin Holderman, another late-inning option, last pitched on Aug. 24 and will miss the remainder of the season as well. With the three absences compounding each other, the Pirates have struggled to maintain leads in late innings.

“This guy is a big part of what we’re doing, not only this year but moving into the future,” Shelton said. “It’s definitely important to have him back. The most important thing is for him to pitch healthy in Major League games before the season ended, and he’s going to be able to do that.”

Bednar’s return to the team comes at an interesting time. The Pirates have long been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and there are only two weeks remaining in the season. Bednar’s status as the team’s closer has firmly been established as well. That said, Bednar expressed a desire to return to the mound and had no interest in calling it a season.

“I don't want to be a part of any of that,” Bednar said. “That's something I'm not even going to put in my head. I want to go back out there and compete with the guys and finish the season strong."

Added Shelton: “In fact, he probably would’ve liked to have come back a lot sooner than we allowed him.”