The Atlanta Braves placed left-hander Tyler Matzek (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 5) with left-elbow inflammation on Tuesday and recalled left-hander Ray Kerr from the minors in a corresponding move. It's not a good sign for a pitcher that missed all of last season following Tommy John surgery. In addition to his injury, the 33-year-old veteran reliever has not been good so far in 2024, allowing 11 earned runs on 16 hits (three home runs) while walking three and striking out 10 in 10 innings out of Atlanta's bullpen. Given the fact that he missed all of last year due to injury, it seems likely that Matzek won't be able to return to the Braves' bullpen when he's eligible to come off the 15-day IL.
Atlanta Braves left-hander Tyler Matzek (elbow) is back this year after missing all of last season and the last two postseasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery in October of 2022. Matzek threw two perfect innings with four strikeouts in a Grapefruit League game on Sunday to erase any questions about whether he'd need a short minor-league rehab stint to shake off the rust to open the season. The 33-year-old veteran reliever looks ready for the 2024 season, and his velocity has ticked up to 95 mph in his fifth spring appearance on Sunday. He has nine strikeouts, two hits allowed and two walks in 5 2/3 scoreless innings over five outings and will return to Atlanta's bullpen as an important late-inning lefty arm. Matzek isn't going to be a save option, but don't forget that he had 24 holds in 2021.
Tyler Matzek Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Tyler Matzek (elbow) was forced to miss the entire 2023 campaign after having Tommy John surgery. This was a tough blow considering how well the southpaw has pitched for Atlanta. From 2020-2022, Matzek holds a 2.92 ERA in 136 innings with the Braves. He signed a two-year deal with the team after having surgery. Matzek is set to make $1.9 million for the upcoming 2024 campaign. The Braves believe Matzek will be ready to pitch in time for spring training.
Atlanta Braves left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek (elbow) is having Tommy John surgery, according to skipper Brian Snitker. It's the reason why Matzek was left off the roster for the National League Division Series this week against the Philadelphia Phillies, and he'll likely miss all of the 2023 season as a result. The 31-year-old southpaw wasn't nearly as good in 2022 as he was during the team's World Series run last year. In 43 2/3 innings during the regular season, he went 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA (4.49 FIP), a 1.26 WHIP, one save and 36 strikeouts in his 42 relief outings for Atlanta.
Atlanta Braves left-handed reliever Tyler Matzek picked up his first save of the season in Tuesday night's 9-7 extra-inning win over the Boston Red Sox. The 31-year-old struck out two in a perfect inning of work in the 11th frame. Raisel Iglesias was charged with a blown save after working the eighth inning, and closer Kenley Jansen entered in the ninth to keep the game tied going into extra innings. On the season, Matzek is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, 21 strikeouts and 15 walks in 25 2/3 innings of work. He also has six holds. Matzek isn't all that attractive in fantasy due to his 19.6% strikeout rate and bloated 14% walk rate.
The Atlanta Braves reinstated reliever Tyler Matzek (shoulder) from the injured list on Monday. Matzek and outfielder Eddie Rosario were both reinstated from the injured list and should provide the National League East club with additional options in the bullpen and outfield respectively. Matzek has only thrown 10.2 innings this season, pitching to a 5.06 ERA and a 5.55 FIP, 10 strikeouts, and nine walks. However, he was much more effective in 2021, logging a 2.57 ERA and a 3.20 FIP in 63 innings while striking out 77 batters and allowing 37 walks. He's worth a look for fantasy managers in deeper leagues where holds are part of the scoring format.
The Atlanta Braves will be placing left-handed relief pitcher Tyler Matzek (shoulder) on the injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The team will be calling up fellow left-hander Tucker Davidson to take Matzek's roster spot. Davidson will be the team's starting pitcher for Tuesday's game. Matzek felt left shoulder soreness while throwing on Monday. He is scheduled to undergo testing on Tuesday. The 31-year-old leads the Braves with six holds, but he has an ugly 5.06 ERA and 1.41 WHIP on the year with a K/BB ratio of just 1.1.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Tyler Matzek, fresh off winning the Play of the Week award, recorded his sixth hold of the year on Tuesday. Unfortunately, fellow reliever A.J. Minter then suffered a meltdown and the club fell 5-3 to the Toronto Blue Jays. Matzek struck out two batters during his perfect inning of work to bring his season total to 26 strikeouts in 16 innings of work. The former first-round draft pick (as a starter) has settled in nicely to the bullpen role over the past two seasons. Last year, during the abbreviated season, he struck out 43 batters in 29 innings which earned him more high-leverage opportunities this season. Matzek is a solid fantasy bullpen option given his growing hold numbers and excellent strikeout rate.
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Tyler Matzek, a first-round pick way back in 2009, was out of baseball in 2019 but resurfaced with Atlanta last year and made his first Opening Day roster in six years in 2021. The left-hander pitched twice against the Philadelphia Phillies in the team's opening series, and he touched 100.2 mph during a strikeout of Alec Bohm. Since 2018, only eight southpaws have touched 100 mph. Matzek has also increased his curveball velocity from 79.1 to 82.5 mph and his slider velocity from 82.9 to 86.1 mph. He's throwing harder and hasn't lost any vertical break on his pitches, which is significant. The 30-year-old must throw strikes to be effective, but this is an intriguing arm that could have value in holds/saves leagues this year.
