Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Tuesday that Mathias is in consideration for starts at second base, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mathias was just acquired from the Rangers last Wednesday for a player to be named later and has already made a strong impression during his short time in Pirates camp. Shelton noted that the second base competition is wide open at the moment and also suggested that Mathias could be an option in the corner outfield. The 28-year-old put up an .825 OPS in 91 major-league plate appearances last season between Milwaukee and Texas.

The Pirates acquired Mathias from the Rangers on Wednesday in exchange for a player to be named later.

EDGE Analysis

Texas moved Mathias off its 40-man roster over the weekend, but the 28-year-old utility man was quickly able to find a new organization. Mathias hit well at the Triple-A level and down the stretch with Texas last season, but his track record suggests that his hot run at the plate is unlikely to carry over into 2023. He'll compete for a reserve role with the rebuilding Pirates.

Mathias was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Lefty reliever Will Smith was brought in on a one-year deal and Mathias was the roster casualty. While he's 28 years old and lacks a defensive home, Mathias hit six home runs in just 91 plate appearances in the majors last year, so he could draw interest on waivers.

Mathias went 2-for-5 with a home run, an additional RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's loss to Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Mathias plated the Rangers' first run with a solo homer to left field in the second inning and added an RBI single in the following frame. The long ball came one day after Mathias went deep twice, and he's gone 5-for-10 with four runs and six RBI over his past two games. The hot stretch has pushed his season slash line to .306/371/.645 through 70 plate appearances.

Mathias went 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI and three total runs scored in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Mathias hasn't seen a large share of playing time in September, as Tuesday marked just his fifth start in 13 games this month. He made the most of his chance, fueling the Rangers' comeback win in a big way. The 28-year-old hit an RBI double in the fifth inning, a two-run blast in the seventh and a walkoff solo shot in the ninth to help erase a five-run deficit. He's produced five multi-hit efforts since joining the Rangers at the trade deadline. Mathias is slashing .298/.369/.614 with five homers, 18 RBI, 12 runs scored and a pair of stolen bases through 65 plate appearances between Texas and Milwaukee this year.

Mathias went 0-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Tuesday's 4-3 win over Houston.

EDGE Analysis

Mathias started at designated hitter with a lefty on the mound. He's getting about three starts per week, primarily at DH and mostly against southpaws. Lefties Kole Calhoun and Brad Miller (hip) typically handle DH chores against righties. Mathias has taken five walks in the last five games after not getting a free pass in his first six with the Rangers.

Mathias is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Boston.

EDGE Analysis

Mathias went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Thursday's series opener versus the Red Sox and will take a seat Friday. Kole Calhoun will serve as the designated hitter while Bubba Thompson starts in left field. Mathias has now sat against three straight right-handed pitchers and could be stuck in a short-side platoon role at DH.

Mathias isn't starting Wednesday against the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

Mathias started four of the last five games and went 7-for-15 with a home run, a double, five RBI and three runs during that time. Adolis Garcia will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup.

Mathias is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

Mathias started the past three games and will receive a day off after going 7-for-12 with a home runs, five RBI and three runs scored. Brad Miller will bat seventh as the designated hitter Sunday.

Mathias started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a walk in Saturday's 11-2 loss to Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Mathias made his second straight start at DH and third consecutive overall. He's making the most of his opportunity, posting multiple hits in all three starts with one home run, five RBI and three runs scored. As the Rangers begin to focus on the offseason and 2023, a 27-year-old utility infielder with 75 plate appearances at the major-league level may not be front-and-center in the organization's plans, but Mathias could carve out at-bats over the final month ahead of Brad Miller and Charlie Culberson at DH.