The opportunity is only temporary. Matt Yough welcomed it nonetheless.

The Karns City graduate and Gannon University freshman pitcher signed a two-week contract with the Butler BlueSox the day before their season started. He pitched the final two innings of the opener and was tagged with the loss in a 4-1 defeat.

“He’s going to get some innings with us,” BlueSox manager Jason Radwan said that night. “Matt will benefit from this experience and we’ll benefit from his flexibility.

“He might even get a spot start at some point.”

Yough has appeared in three of the BlueSox’ first five games. The right-hander has allowed eight hits and three earned runs in 4.1 innings thus far, though he has fallen prey to some shoddy defense.

The BlueSox lead the Prospect League with 17 errors, including six in that season opener.

“I’m treating this as a fun experience that hopefully, I can turn into something,” Yough said. “It’s a high quality league and it’s close to home.”

If the BlueSox decide not to extend Yough’s contract next week, he will pitch for Cranberry in the Eagle County League. He also has an excavating job in Karns City.

The 2016 baseball season has already exceeded his expectations.

Yough hit .475 and played multiple positions during his prep career at Karns City. He was originally recruited as a first baseman by Gannon, but wound up on the mound as the team needed arms.

“I think their initial plan was to red-shirt me. That’s what I expected, anyway,” Yough said.

He wound up making 14 appearances on the mound for the Golden Knights — including two starts — and put together a 4-1 record, 1.98 earned run average and one save as a true freshman.

His longest outing on the mound in college this year was a five-inning stint against Slippery Rock.

“I could go five innings and throw 75 to 80 pitches as a starter at this point,” Yough said.

Radwan isn’t so sure.

“It may be tough to give him a start because I don’t know if I’d have him throw more than 50 pitches,” the manager said.

Yough did get a few innings and at bats in as a position player for the Golden Knights this past season, getting “one hit in maybe six or seven at bats.

“But it felt good. I’ve missed swinging the bat,” he admitted.

With the majority of Gannon’s pitchers returning next year, Yough doesn’t expect his role to change much next spring. He’ll be prepared to do whatever he’s called upon to do for the Golden Knights.

He has that same mind-set with the BlueSox.

“My role here is simple — to just help them out,” Yough said. “Whatever they need me to do, I’m willing to do.”

Being down 10 pitchers to start the season, Radwan welcomes such words.

“Just the fact he can eat up innings is a help,” the manager said.