After 1st start with Pirates, utility player Mark Mathias hopes to make impact with his bat

Even though Mark Mathias didn’t make the final cut of spring training, he’s been following the Pittsburgh Pirates through their box scores while trying to avoid being distracted by their transactions.

Until, of course, he was one of them.

Mathias was preparing for a day off with Triple-A Indianapolis when he got word Sunday afternoon that the Pirates were recalling him after shortstop Oneil Cruz fractured his left ankle. A few hours later, Mathias flew to Pittsburgh. On Monday night, Mathias was in the starting lineup at second base for the Pirates against left-hander Framber Valdez and the World Series champion Houston Astros.

“It feels good. It feels good to be back up here,” Mathias said. “Unfortunately, the reason why I’m here — Oneil’s a great player, he brings a lot to this team — it’s unfortunate. But I’m happy to be here.”

The Pirates promoted the 28-year-old utility player, acquired from the Texas Rangers in March, as much for his hitting as anything. The 6-foot, 200-pounder slashed .256/.307/.462 in 46 major league games over two seasons, including three doubles, six homers and 20 RBIs last season, split between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Rangers.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Mathias will get some opportunities because of his right-handed bat and ability to play second base, third base and the corner outfield positions.

“We’ve seen Mark hit,” Shelton said. “He’s hit in Triple-A. He hit last year when he went to Texas in the big leagues a little bit. To say moving forward what’s going to happen, I can’t tell you that. He’s gonna get some reps. …We’ll kind of find out from there. But we like the bat. That’s why we acquired him.”

Mathias batted .125 (2 for 16) with one homer and four RBIs in six games with the Brewers last season and slashed .277/.365/.554 with three doubles, five homers and 16 RBIs in 24 games with the Rangers. He slashed .322/.422/.518 with 10 doubles, nine homers and 34 RBIs between Triple-A Nashville and Round Rock last year. The Rangers designated Mathias for assignment March 3 to make roster space after signing left-handed reliever Will Smith.

“Going into camp with the Rangers, I felt good. I felt like I had a good chance of making that squad out of camp,” Mathias said. “They had different plans in mind, and I respect their decision.”

Mathias had to pack his belongings in Arizona and had a tough time finding a facility where he could work out between being DFA’d by the Rangers and acquired by the Pirates, so getting only 18 at-bats in the shortened spring training didn’t help his chances. In nine games with Indianapolis, Mathias slashed .333/.459/.467 with a double, a home run and two RBIs.

“That just gave me a little more confidence, especially when you get DFA’d,” Mathias said. “It takes a little stab in your back and gives you a sense of areas of the game where you need to get better. Going down to Indy and getting a real feel for the passion of the game again.”

Mathias went 0 for 3 against the Astros, striking out in his first at-bat and grounding twice into a fielder’s choice. He played well defensively, coming across the bag to make a backhand stop on a grounder to throw out Jeremy Pena in the third inning. And he almost saved a run in the fourth when, with the infield playing in, a Kyle Tucker liner glanced off his glove for a two-run single.

“Mathias can hit. He’s got a good swing, so we’re going to get a chance to see him a little bit,” Shelton said afterward. “He fielded all the balls. He had the one ball that tipped off his glove. There’s really nothing you can do on that one.”

After making hard contact in his final two at-bats, he hopes that the hits will follow.

“I just have to stay positive,” Mathias said. “Anytime you don’t get any hits, it’s always good to take away some hits. I felt pretty good with the glove.”