Pirates DFA Jake Woodford, Select Former Pitt Reliever

One day after having his contract selected from Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pittsburgh Pirates have designated right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford for assignment.

Woodford started for the Pirates in Wednesday’s loss to the St. Louis Cardinals and took a no-decision after allowing four runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and no walks in 4.2 innings pitched.

The 27-year-old totaled seven appearances with the Pirates after he was signed as a minor-league free agent in June. Combined between five starts and a two relief appearances, Woodford went 0-4 with a 7.09 ERA.

To take his place on the roster, the Pirates selected the contract of fellow right-hander Isaac Mattson from Indianapolis.

Mattson signed as a minor-league free agent in the offseason and has split time between Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis. In 29 appearances at Triple-A this year, Mattson went 5-1 with a 3.15 ERA and struck out 76 batters in 60 innings while holding opponents to a .213 batting average.

The 29-year-old made his major-league debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021 and went on to make four appearances. He allowed three runs on five hits and struck out three in 4.1 innings in his lone stint in the big leagues.

Mattson, a native of Erie, Pa., was originally selected by the Los Angeles Angeles in the 19th round out of the University of Pittsburgh. In three collegiate seasons with the Panthers, Mattson went 3-1 with a 3.47 ERA and led the team with four saves during his junior season in 2017.