MIAMI — A few familiar faces returned to the Pirates clubhouse on Thursday, as they recalled Isaac Mattson and Jack Brannigan from Triple-A Indianapolis.
The moves were necessary because the club placed Endy Rodríguez on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 10) with left hip inflammation and optioned Evan Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Most impactful to the Major League team is the loss of Rodríguez, who has an .840 OPS in 45 games this season, including a mark of .901 against righties.
Prior to this injury, Rodríguez spent three weeks on the IL with a left glute strain, the injuries perpetuating health concerns that have followed him the past few seasons.
Rodríguez’s bat will be missed, though Henry Davis offers ample defensive improvement. It’s hard to see Rafael Flores Jr. playing more than as a traditional backup given the defensive differences between him and Davis.
Mattson, 31, is in his fourth stint with the Pirates this season. The right-hander has a 4.93 ERA in 36 MLB games. It's a step back numbers-wise, as he and the Pirates have focused on extending his pitch mix beyond four-seam fastballs.
The results have been solid in the Minors, with Mattson producing a 1.38 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 13 innings across 12 appearances with the Indians, but they haven’t fully translated to the big leagues.
“I wish I was the greatest pitcher in the history of this game, but that’s not in the cards for me in terms of the talent,” Mattson said, talking about embracing the challenges of changing how he pitches. “I’ve had great support through family, friends and coaches to be able to attack every day and try and become a better version of myself.”
After throwing fastballs 78.5% of the time in 2025, Mattson has reduced that to 70.7% this season. The biggest change has been adding a sweeper, which has produced a .188 batting average against in limited usage (7.7%).
If Mattson can put it all together and regain some of his 2025 form, it would obviously help the bullpen. In 44 games last season, Mattson pitched to a 2.45 ERA with 19 walks and 45 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings.
One of the biggest changes for him this year: confidence.
“One of the big things last year was knowing what my strengths are and trying to rely on those as much as possible,” Mattson said. “This year, it’s been a good experience for me being able to look at things and try and figure out what the next step is, trying to make progress.
“If I have one great weapon, that’s awesome. But I want to bring the floor up as well.”
For Brannigan, this represents his third Major League stint. The Pirates recalled him from Double-A Altoona on June 25, but he didn’t play in a game. They recalled him from Triple-A on July 7, and he logged the last two innings at third base during his MLB debut that night against the Braves.
Brannigan got one at-bat in that game and struck out.
“Now that I’ve played, it’s more excitement than nerves,” Brannigan said. “Hopefully I’ll get back in there again and get more opportunities in the big leagues.”
Over his past seven games at Triple-A, Brannigan hit .296 with a double, a home run, eight RBIs and six runs. It’s been an odd season for Brannigan, who has appeared in at least one game in the Florida Complex League (2 games), along with Low-A Bradenton (5), High-A Greensboro (4), Double-A Altoona (33) and Triple-A Indianapolis (25).
Across those five levels, Brannigan has a .771 OPS that includes 12 doubles and 14 homers in those games, proving there’s power when he’s been healthy and his swing is in a good place.
“Just kind of simplifying things,” Brannigan said when asked how he feels like he’s evolved this season. “I kinda had some bigger [swing] moves going on, and I’ve just been trying to simplify them.
“Everyone has really good stuff, so you kinda need to give yourself as much margin for error as you can.”
Sisk had pitched four times since coming off the 15-day IL with left elbow inflammation, allowing three earned runs, five walks and two hit batters in 4 1/3 innings, leading to an ERA of 6.23.
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH on X.