![\"Isaac](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Mattson-1120x630.jpeg\")
Photo provided by Eddie Provident \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto provided by Eddie Provident \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Isaac Mattson had a breakout season for the Pirates in 2025, and he did so while relying primarily on one pitch.<\/p>\n
Mattson received his first extended look in the big leagues in his age-29 season a year ago and became a key piece in the Pirates bullpen. He finished the year 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 44 appearances, and he did so by throwing his four-seam fastball nearly 80% of the time.<\/p>\n
Mattson started the 2026 season again in Pittsburgh\u2019s bullpen, but the Pirates optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Indianapolis on May 20 so he could round out his arsenal and give opponents more to think about than just one of his offerings.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot necessarily a big change, but taking the things I worked on in the offseason and implementing those at a more consistent level,\u201d Mattson said on what he worked on in the minor leagues. \u201cJust felt like the attack plans versus hitters was very one-sided.\u201d<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t easy for Mattson, just like it\u2019s not easy for any player to get sent down. But he remembered the same thing happening to one of his teammates last year in a move that paid dividends.<\/p>\n
Amidst a poor start to the season last year, the Pirates optioned David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis. After rejoining the team, the right-hander thrived and reclaimed his closer role until he was traded to the Yankees at the deadline.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing (Bednar) go through what he went through last year and how he was a professional through and through in the midst of something that everybody knew he didn\u2019t want to be there, but he understood what it was going to take to get back to the big leagues,\u201d Mattson reflected. \u201cTo his credit, he took those steps. Being able to see that last year really fed into my mindset in trying to be the best version of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
In part due to what he did while he was with Indianapolis \u2014 a 1.86 ERA in nine appearances \u2014 and partly because of a desperate need in the big-league bullpen, the Pirates recalled Mattson over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Mattson found success with his \u201cinvisible\u201d fastball last year, but hitters were starting to see the pitch more clearly the more he threw it. He allowed seven runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings over his last five appearances before the Pirates chose to send him down to Triple-A.<\/p>\n
Wanting to more effectively deploy all his weapons, Mattson compared his focus with Indianapolis to another sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe approach was attack with my best weapon. I liken it to a golf outing. You can use your driver on every shot if you want, but there\u2019s situations where a 9-iron or a putter is going to work better in that spot, depending on who you\u2019re facing,\u201d he explained. \u201cThat was the adjustment: How do I spread the deck and use everything that I have at my disposal \u2013 the slider, the changeup \u2013 to be able to level things out and compete at a higher level.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mattson, who was recalled on Saturday, was tested for the first time in Sunday\u2019s loss to the Marlins. He entered the game in the eighth inning in relief of Brandan Bidois, who had allowed two runs on four hits and left with the bases loaded and two outs.<\/p>\n
Mattson struck out Jakob Marsee to prevent any of his inherited runners to score. He went back out for the top of the ninth and worked around a pair of walks to deliver a scoreless frame.<\/p>\n
In all, Mattson threw 27 pitches with more noticeable distribution \u2014 12 were fastballs, seven were sliders, six were changeups and two were curveballs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought he threw the ball well,\u201d manager Don Kelly said after the game. \u201cHe had the two walks in the last inning but he was able to navigate that. And really encouraging\u00a0to see the velo up and the way he was able to use the off speed.\u201d <\/p>\n
For Mattson, he\u2019s hoping his scoreless appearance his first time back with the Pirates is the first of many. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think the game teaches you lessons. When they\u2019re the same lessons for a couple times in a row, that\u2019s when you\u2019ve got to make the adjustment. I\u2019m excited to see what continues to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Isaac Mattson<\/a> Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> <\/p>\n