BREAKING: Should The Yankees Target Tyler Matzek to Fill Lefty Reliever Spot?

Apr 1, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Tyler Matzek (68) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Should the Yankees take a chance on lefty reliever Tyler Matzek who is slated to throw a showcase in front of scouts on Thursday?

With the New York Yankees needing a left-handed reliever for their bullpen, a reunion with Tim Hill makes sense.

But if they don’t bring back Hill, could this veteran lefty be a potential replacement option for the Yankees?

MLB insider Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Wednesday that veteran reliever Tyler Matzek will throw a showcase for scouts on Thursday in Irvine, California with hopes that a team across the league will sign him after being limited to just 10 innings across the past two seasons.

Matzek, 34, was sidelined for all of the 2023 season and returned to make just 11 appearances in 2024, allowing 11 earned runs in the process (9.90 ERA).

After beginning the 2022 campaign with a 5.06 ERA, he was placed on the injured list on May 17 with shoulder inflammation and did not return until July 4. Despite making 42 appearances in 2022 going 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA across 43.2 innings, Matzek was left off the NLDS roster for the Braves after experiencing elbow discomfort. He would later need Tommy John Surgery which also kept him out of the entire 2023 season.

Matzek signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants on July 29, 2024. But after posting a 5.79 ERA across three outings for the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, he was released by the organization on August 30.

The Braves brought back Matzek shortly thereafter, signing him to a minor league on August 31.

Despite his injury history over the last few seasons, Matzek’s career numbers are still impressive and when healthy, he can be a reliable bullpen arm and long reliever as well. He also has experience as a starting pitcher.

Matzek was one of the Braves’ best relievers in 2021, helping them capture their first World Series title since 1995.

In 168 career games (24 starts) pitching for both the Braves and Colorado Rockies, Matzek has gone 16-21 with a 3.72 ERA and has 272 strikeouts across 285.1 innings with a WHIP of 1.36.

With the Yankees bullpen currently having no lefty options for the 2025 season, Matzek could become a candidate if he impresses scouts during his showcase on Thursday.

Signing Matzek would be the type of low-risk, high-reward move New York could certainly make.

As sources told Pat Ragazzo of Yankees On SI, another former Yankee reliever, Lou Trivino, threw a bullpen session in Palm Beach, Fla. in front of scouts on Tuesday. The Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Guardians, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds were among those in attendance.

Trivino is an additional reunion candidate for the Yankees and scouts were said to have come away impressed with his bullpen session, which saw the righty hit 94 mph on his sinker. Like Matzek, Trivino, 33, has essentially missed the last two years of action due to Tommy John surgery in 2022.

Related Posts

🚨 BOMBSHELL WHITE SOX PREDICTED TO CALL UP 6-FOOT-10 LEFTY PROSPECT WITH 1.29 ERA TO MLB, insiders reveal the towering pitcher’s electric performance in the minors has caught everyone’s attention, and his MLB debut could be a game-changer for Chicago’s rotation, fans are buzzing with excitement over this next big move 👇👇👇

🚨 WHITE SOX SET TO CALL UP 6-FOOT-10 LEFTY PROSPECT NOAH SCHULTZ AFTER DOMINANT MINOR LEAGUE START! 👇 Chicago, IL – While the Chicago White Sox haven’t…

🚨 REPORT RED SOX EXPLAIN ROMAN ANTHONY’S ABSENCE AGAINST CARDINALS, insiders reveal a behind-the-scenes decision that has left fans questioning the rookie’s role, with speculation swirling about his future with the team, the truth behind the absence could have major implications for Boston’s lineup 👇👇👇

Apr 3, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Roman Anthony (19) hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning at…

🚨 BOMBSHELL RED SOX SHOULD TAKE A LOTTERY TICKET ON METS HURLER AFTER DFA, insiders say this could be the high-risk, high-reward move Boston needs to shake up their pitching staff, with the former Mets pitcher offering intriguing potential that could pay off big for the Red Sox, fans are eager to see if this gamble pays off 👇👇👇

🚨 RED SOX SHOULD CONSIDER CLAIMING RICHARD LOVELADY: Mets Reliever Available After DFA 👇 Boston, MA — The Boston Red Sox are off to a rough start…

🚨 BOMBSHELL INSIDER REVEALS YANKEES’ PLAN FOR ANTHONY VOLPE AMID RETURN FROM INJURY, insiders say the Yankees are preparing to unleash the young star in a way no one expected, with Volpe’s return potentially shaking up the entire lineup and fans are already speculating about what’s next for the rookie sensation 👇👇👇

Getty Anthony Volpe gets update on future with Yankees. The New York Yankees will have an intriguing decision to make on Anthony Volpe. Volpe is set to…

🚨 BOMBSHELL CHICAGO CUBS RUMORS: INSIDER REVEALS SHOCKING POSSIBILITY OF LUCAS GIOLITO SIGNING, insiders say this move could completely alter the Cubs’ pitching future, leaving fans on the edge of their seats, with questions swirling about whether Giolito is the missing piece they’ve been searching for – the clock is ticking! 👇👇👇

🚨 CUBS RUMORS: Insider Weighs in on the Likelihood of Lucas Giolito Signing 👇 Chicago, IL – As the Chicago Cubs enter the 2026 MLB season with…

🔥Don’t Miss This: Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium – Match Update & How to Watch Live Online

🔥Don’t Miss This: Kansas City Royals vs. Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium – Match Update & How to Watch Live Online The Kansas City Royals will…