Isaac

Mattson

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.

Mattson heads back to the minors with pitching prospect Braxton Ashcraft joining Pittsburgh’s relief mix. The 29-year-old righty boasts a respectable 3.00 ERA across three innings (three appearances) this season in the majors.

Mattson fortifies Pittsburgh’s relief depth with Colin Holderman hitting the injured list ahead of Tuesday’s contest against the Reds. The 29-year-old righty made three relief appearances last year for Cincinnati and has posted a strong 2.50 ERA across 18 innings (16 appearances) this season at the Triple-A level.

No real surprises here as Pittsburgh begins to pare down its spring training roster. Ashcraft is the most notable inclusion since he figures to be an option for the Pirates at some point later this season. Valdez could be an option at the keystone if injuries strike at the big-league level.

The 29-year-old noted that the Pirates are building something special in Pittsburgh and that he wants to be a part of it. Mattson appeared in three big league contests with the Pirates in 2024, registering a 5.06 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 6/5 K/BB ratio across 5 1/3 innings. He’ll continue to function as extra bullpen depth.

Jefferies (elbow) and Heller (shoulder) are coming off injuries, while Mattson was a late-season call-up for the Pirates as emergency relief depth. The trio have the ability to elect free agency, but have been removed from Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster heading into the offseason.

Mattson hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2021. He had a 3.17 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 89 strikeouts in 71 innings between Double-A and Triple-A this year. He’s a fresh arm for the bullpen. Jake Woodford was designated for assignment as the corresponding move.

Mattson’s lone major league experience came when he made four appearances for the 2021 Orioles. He had a 3.62 ERA and a 42/24 K/BB ratio in 32 1/3 innings as a reliever for the Twins’ Double-A affiliate last season.

Mattson last appeared in the majors for the Orioles during the 2021 campaign when he made four relief appearances. The 27-year-old righty gets another shot in affiliated ball after posting a solid 3.32 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 24/8 K/BB ratio across 19 innings (18 appearances) this season for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the independent Atlantic League.

Mattson made four relief appearances last year for the Orioles and has struggled mightily this season at Triple-A Norfolk, registering a calamitous 6.62 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 14/20 K/BB ratio across 17 2/3 innings (19 appearances). He’s still only 27 years old, so there’s a shot another organization is willing to roll the dice that he can harness his control issues.