The New York Yankees announced on Tuesday that they signed left-hander Tyler Matzek to a major-league contract and selected him to their active roster and designated right-hander Yoendrys Gomez for assignment in a corresponding move. The Yankees signed Matzek to a minor-league deal back in February, but now he'll join their big-league bullpen for the time being. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw began the season in the minors due to an oblique injury that he suffered in spring training in March, but now he's past the issue and will provide New York with a lefty arm out of their 'pen. In 5 2/3 relief innings for Single-A Tampa and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year, he gave up two earned runs while walking two and striking out seven. Matzek has a 3.72 career ERA, 1.36 WHIP and just one save in his six major-league seasons.
New York Yankees left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek (oblique) was activated off the 7-day injured list on Wednesday. The southpaw was sidelined with an oblique injury since March. He took the mound during Wednesday's contest and logged two innings of two-hit ball. He struck out three batters and did not allow a run. Matzek signed a minor league contract with the Yankees during the winter. Matzek was an effective reliever during Atlanta's World Series run, but had not enjoyed similar production over the past two seasons as he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023. In 2024, Matzek logged 10 innings in the big leagues and allowed 11 earned runs. If the 34-year-old can continue to impress with Triple-A, he could make a push to the Bronx later this month.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Tyler Matzek (oblique) is scheduled to take the mound for a bullpen session on Thursday. Matzek has been dealing with an oblique strain since early in camp. He has resumed his throwing program, but could see begin the regular season on the injured list. The southpaw is likely going to need to throw a few bullpen sessions before he's ready for game action again. The 34-year-old was awful in 11 appearances with the Braves last season and didn't pitch at all in 2023. It remains to be seen how much Matzek still has left in the tank.
New York Yankees left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek (oblique) is expected to miss a few weeks due to an oblique strain. However, the 34-year-old could resume a throwing program on Monday. The Yankees invited Matzek to camp after he signed a minor-league deal earlier in the offseason. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but he will likely not be ready for Opening Day. Last season, the southpaw logged just 10 innings of work with the Atlanta Braves and held a 9.90 ERA with a 1.90 WHIP. During the 2022 campaign, Matzek held a 3.50 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP across 43 2/3 innings of work. He tallied 36 punchouts with eight holds while operating as a setup man. When he returns from this injury, Matzek could contend for a spot in the Yankee bullpen. However, given his lack of experience last season, he will likely be eased into action and will see time as a low-leverage option.
Tyler Matzek Secures Minor-League Deal With Yankees
Free-agent left-hander Tyler Matzek is signing a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees on Monday after he recently impressed scouts in a showcase. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw will head to the American League East after appearing in only 11 games out of the bullpen for the Atlanta Braves in 2024. In his 11 outings over 10 innings, Matzek gave up 11 earned runs on 16 hits (three homers) while walking three and striking out 10. He didn't pitch at all in the big leagues in 2023 due to injury but has a decent 3.72 ERA (3.81 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP in 285 1/3 career major-league innings while also posting a 272:142 K:BB in his 168 appearances (24 starts). Matzek will be looking to impress the Yankees coaching staff in spring training to try and win an Opening Day bullpen spot for the Bombers as a lefty specialist.
According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek (elbow) will throw for scouts on Thursday in Irvine, California. Matzek logged only ten innings of work last season before suffering a season-ending elbow injury. While the southpaw has struggled over the past few seasons, he was a dominant part of the Atlanta bullpen during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. During these two years, Matzek held a 2.64 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP across 92 innings. During Atlanta's 2021 World Series run, Matzek was a key part of the "nightshift" bullpen during the playoffs. Across 15 2/3 innings, Matzek posted a stellar 1.72 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 4:24 BB:K ratio during the postseason. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status before spring training, as he may earn a contract if he is past this elbow injury.
San Francisco Giants left-hander Tyler Matzek (elbow), who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves as part of the Jorge Soler trade on July 29, started a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 13, giving up two runs (one earned) over one inning. Matzek is scheduled to make his next rehab appearance for the River Cats on Tuesday. The veteran left-handed reliever had a 9.90 ERA and produced some concerning hard-hit metrics over 11 appearances for the Braves this year, but he had a 3.50 ERA over 42 outings in 2022 before having Tommy John surgery in October of that year. The 33-year-old could make his debut with the Giants in early September, but they're likely to ease him in via a low-leverage relief role down the stretch.
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.
Tyler Matzek
• RP
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Yankees
