Pirates option Isaac Mattson back to Triple-A

It’s safe to assume that Mattson is probably done for the rest of the season with less than three weeks left. The 31-year-old has posted an underwhelming 5.35 ERA across 38 2/3 innings for the Pirates this season.

Mattson, who lost his spot after the Pirates rebuilt their pen at the trade deadline, has a 4.91 ERA in 36 2/3 innings this season.

Mattson was only in Triple-A for 11 days. He’ll return to a 4.93 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and a 33/16 K/BB ratio over 34 2/3 innings in 36 appearances with the Pirates this season.

With Camilo Doval set to join the Pirates’ bullpen on Sunday someone needed to get the boot and it looks like Mattson drew the short straw this time around. The 31-year-old right-hander holds a 4.93 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and a 33/16 K/BB ratio over 34 2/3 innings in 36 appearances with the Pirates this season.

Mattson augments Pittsburgh’s relief depth heading into a pair of contests against the division-rival Reds. The 31-year-old has posted a serviceable 4.93 ERA across 34 2/3 innings at the big-league level this season.

With no off day until August 10th, the Pirates are cycling through bullpen pitchers to ensure that they have some fresh arms ready to go. We should see Mattson back up this summer.

Mattson returns to Pittsburgh’s relief mix after spending nearly a month in the minors. The 30-year-old posted a serviceable 4.12 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 15/10 K/BB ratio across 19 2/3 innings for the Pirates earlier this season. He’ll operate in middle relief situations.

Mattson isn’t pitching poorly, with a 4.12 ERA in 19 2/3 innings for the Pirates this season. However, the team wanted to get pitching prospect Wilber Dotel up in their bullpen, and Mattson is one of the few relievers with minor league options remaining.

The Pirates are getting catcher Rafael Flores and Edgleen Perez and outfielder Brian Sanchez in return. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman said the Rangers were the other finalist here. Those rostering Bednar surely would have preferred he go to Texas, since he’s not going to close in New York unless something goes wrong with Devin Williams. Dennis Santana becomes the Pirates’ closer, but probably not, as he’s almost surely on the move, too. We wouldn’t say there’s another Pirates reliever worth grabbing in mixed leagues right away, but Isaac Mattson seems like the most interesting pitcher in the bunch right now. Bednar is under control for 2026 and could be the Yankees’ closer next year if Williams departs in free agency.

Mattson returns to the majors with the Pirates moving on from lefty reliever Joey Wentz ahead of Saturday’s game against the Phillies. The 29-year-old righty has made three appearances this season for Pittsburgh. He’ll operate in middle relief moving forward.