A bearing for a gear pump includes a bearing body defining a bearing bore defined therethrough along an axis for receiving a gear shaft. The bearing bore defines a cylindrical bearing inner diameter surface. The bearing body defines an outer mating surface configured for mounting to another bearing body. A groove is defined in the inner diameter surface along an axial direction relative to the axis to provide clearance for gear journal motion between the inner diameter surface and the gear shaft. The groove is defined in a portion of the inner diameter surface opposite the mating surface.