ST. LOUIS – Some much-needed relief help has arrived for the Pirates. As a result, it bumped out one of the group's steadiest arms from 2025.
With a 5.86 ERA from their bullpen since April 27, the second-worst such mark in MLB, the Pirates on Wednesday recalled Wilber Dotel and optioned Isaac Mattson to Triple-A Indianapolis to clear roster space.
"He's been throwing the ball well down in Indy," Pirates manager Don Kelly said of Dotel, who’s gone 3-3 with a 5.32 ERA in six Triple-A appearances (four starts) this season. “He’s worked on some things he was supposed to work on . Excited to get him back.”
Recalling Dotel brings back onto the Pirates’ MLB roster a physical right-hander (6-3, 238) who pitched well earlier this year.
While in the Majors from April 19-27, Dotel had a 1.35 ERA in 6 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts, a .091 batting average against and 0.75 WHIP. Those numbers were achieved during three relief appearances.
Kelly cited Dotel's "electric" fastball, as well as his ability to throw strikes, when asked pregame what impression the 23-year-old had made. The Pirates manager has also grown to appreciate Dotel's impressive work ethic.
The part in question is how Dotel, a career starter, may handle a relief role in the bigger picture. But the Pirates also aren't in position to be overly picky. They need bullpen help now.
"We'll feel that out as we go," Kelly said. "He's a guy who can pitch multiple innings too, provide some length out of the 'pen. Exactly where that is? Not gonna talk specifics, but just feel good about him coming out of the 'pen in Indy, what he was able to do out of the 'pen up here early on and looking forward to the same."
Relief help has obviously been hard to find for the Pirates, who have 11 blown saves through 48 games, tied for second-most in MLB.
One of the softer areas of the bullpen has been middle relief and guys who can work multiple innings, which should be a strength for Dotel. The Pirates enjoyed an excellent audition by Dotel on April 27 against the Cardinals when Dotel twirled four perfect innings.
With a four-seam fastball that averages 98.2 mph, as well as a solid changeup and sharp cutter, Dotel has the pitch mix to succeed. He just needs to throw strikes and navigate life as a reliever.
"We're trying to get better, having conversations on what that looks like, the urgency to get better and to win games," Kelly said. "It's vital that we find a way to continue to do that."
Meanwhile, Mattson has been one of several back-end relievers who have encountered struggles this year. He has a 4.12 ERA in 21 games, but he's also given up seven earned runs since April 30.
Mattson, who was probably hurt by the fact that he still has options, may need the time down to work on things. There are certainly others struggling. But it buys Mattson time to get right while Dotel gets another opportunity to help the Major League club.
"Tough decision with ‘Matty,’ " Kelly said of Mattson, who went 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 44 games (47 2/3 innings) last year, walking 19 and striking out 45.
"He's meant a lot to us. There are some things we've targeted for him to work on when he gets down to Indy. Just looking to get Dotel up and had to make a move. Mattson had options left."
One area of potential change Kelly mentioned with Mattson involved his pitch mix. Mattson spoke this winter about wanting to diversify that after he threw his four-seam fastball 78.5% of the time in 2025.
That number has actually gone up; it's 80.7% this year. There have been some misplaced heaters, but the slugging percentage against the pitch this season (.286) is still basically the same as 2025 (.287).
The deviation involves Mattson's changeup and curveball, which have been hit much harder. Either way, it's a chance for the 30-year-old to build confidence before an inevitable return.
"We talked to him about that," Kelly said. "Just from a pitch mix and also a command standpoint, he knows what he's gonna be working on down there."
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PGH.