Pirates reunite with reliever for second chance after minor-league free agency shuffle

Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates v Cincinnati Reds | Jason Mowry/GettyImages

While they have yet to show any signs of life on the Major League free agent market, the Pittsburgh Pirates made another minor-league signing Thursday to add to their pitching depth.

Right-handed reliever Isaac Mattson, a native of Northwest Pennsylvania who played college baseball at the University of Pittsburgh, announced via Instagram that he is re-signing with the Pirates on a minor-league deal for the 2025 season.

"Round [2]," the post reads. "There's something special happening in Pittsburgh. I want to be a part of it in 2025. Let's go Bucs!"

Isaac Mattson returns to Pirates on minor-league deal following solid 2024 season

The Los Angeles Angels originally selected Mattson in the 19th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, and he spent a couple of seasons with the organization before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2019. He made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2021, putting together a rather forgettable stint that resulted in a 6.23 ERA over 4 1/3 innings in four appearances.

The Orioles released Mattson in 2022, and he signed with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League. He spent about a year with the organization before being released and signing with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2023.

Against all odds, Mattson worked his way back to MLB by signing a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins in the middle of the 2023 season. He was signed by the Pirates as a minor-league free agent last December. He started the season in Double-A Altoona, where he recorded a 3.27 ERA in 11 innings with a 13:5 K/BB ratio. After a promotion, he spent the majority of the 2024 campaign with Triple-A Indianapolis, where he turned in a very respectable 3.19 ERA over 62 frames. He became a free agent again at the end of the season.

Mattson appeared in three Major League games for the Pirates last season, allowing three earned runs over 5.1 innings while striking out six batters and walking five. The 29-year-old will almost certainly return to Indianapolis to begin the 2025 campaign, but a Major League call-up wouldn't be out of the question to provide some bullpen depth.

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