Despite being late to the party, the New York Yankees are signing a 2021 World Series hero who dominated the LA Dodgers in the NLCS and left his stamp on MLB throughout that playoff run.
According to reports, Tyler Matzek is joining the Bombers on a minor league contract after “impressing scouts in a recent showcase.” Even after signing Tim Hill, the Yankees still needed a lefty reliever, so it seems they took the low-risk, high-reward approach.
After having Tommy John surgery at the beginning of 2023, Matzek has only thrown in 11 games as he enters his 34th season. Since then, he has had to cope with side and back issues as well as repercussions from the operation.
At the 2024 deadline, he was moved to the San Francisco Giants in the Jorge Soler trade, although he missed the rest of the season playing. He signed a new contract with the Braves in September after being let loose by the Giants in August, and at the end of the season, he was free to join with any team he wanted.
With his best seasons of 2020 and 2021 well behind him, he will try to start his trek back to the back end of a bullpen this spring.
Tyler Matzek is said to have signed a minor league contract with the Yankees.
Matzek had a stellar season back in 2021. After 63 innings pitched, he ended with a 2.57 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 1.22 WHIP, and 77 strikeouts. His greatest effort, however, came in October of that year, when he pitched 15 2/3 innings, gave up only three earned runs, and struck out 24 to help the Braves win the World Series.
That run’s most memorable moment? In the decisive Game 6 of the NLCS, Matzek secured the victory by sitting Mookie Betts down on three pitches. He gave up just two earned runs on one hit and two walks in six innings while striking out 11 Dodgers over the course of five games.
Being one of the more flamboyant figures on the mound that season, Matzek gave the Braves’ bullpen a sense of intimidation. Maybe that’s something the Yankees want to include in 2025. They require it, but maybe in a more regulated amount.
However, this may turn out to be one of Brian Cashman’s better offseason decisions if Matzek can recover to full fitness under Matt Blake’s guidance.
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