Bender was drafted with 613th pick in the 20th round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals out of Santa Rosa Junior College.[1] Bender made his professional debut for the rookie-level Arizona League Royals. He split the 2017 season between the Single-ALexington Legends and High-AWilmington Blue Rocks,recording a cumulative 5–6 record and 3.96 ERA. He spent the entire 2018 season in Wilmington,recording a 3.57 ERA and 6–3 record in 30 appearances.[1] On March 21,2019,Bender was released by the Royals.[2]
On November 30, 2020, Bender signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins organization.[8] On May 4, 2021, Bender was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[9][10] He made his debut the next day, pitching a scoreless inning of relief. In the game, he notched his first MLB strikeout, punching out Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Tim Locastro. He did not allow an earned run until his 22nd appearance in the majors.[11] He finished his rookie campaign with a 3–2 record and 2.79 ERA with 71 strikeouts across 60 appearances.
In 2022, Bender pitched in 22 games for Miami, recording a 1–3 record and 3.26 ERA with 17 strikeouts and six saves in 19+1⁄3 innings of work. On August 14, 2022, he was placed on the injured list due to a right elbow strain.[12] On August 30, 2022, Bender underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his season prematurely. Bender also missed the entire 2023 season as a result of the procedure.[13]
Bender returned from surgery in 2024, making 59 appearances out of the bullpen for the Marlins; in those games, he posted a 5-2 record and 4.08 ERA with 59 strikeouts and one save over 53 innings of work.[14]
Bender made 51 appearances for Miami during the 2025 season, compiling a 3-5 record and 2.16 ERA with 42 strikeouts over 50 innings of work. On August 19, 2025, it was announced that Bender had suffered a season-ending stress reaction in his right tibia.[15]
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