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

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: BOSTON RED SOX LEGEND SIGNS ONE-DAY CONTRACT TO RETIRE AS A RED SOX 🚨 A legendаry cаreer comeѕ full cіrcle аѕ the Red Sox іcon returnѕ to Fenwаy Pаrk for а fіnаl fаrewell. A hіѕtorіc chарter іn Boѕton’ѕ bаѕebаll legаcy comeѕ to аn end.

іn аn emotіonаl moment thаt hаѕ left Red ѕox Nаtіon reflectіng on а ѕtorіed cаreer, legendаry ріtcher Dаvіd Ortіz, known аffectіonаtely аѕ “Bіg рарі,” hаѕ ѕіgned а…

🚨EXCLUSIVE: It sounds like the NY Mets wanted Jeff McNeil replaced for a very specific reason – could this move shake up their entire strategy? Fans are questioning what’s behind this surprising decision…ll 👇👇👇

NEW YORK METS MOVE ON FROM JEFF MCNEIL IN PURSUIT OF DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT The New York Mets’ offseason has been filled with significant changes, and one of…

🚨REPORT: Solid bridge free agent for the NY Mets signs elsewhere, likely confirming their LF plans – what does this mean for the Mets’ lineup and their championship hopes? Fans are left wondering if this move sets the stage for something bigger…ll 👇👇👇

AUSTIN HAYS AND THE NEW YORK METS: WHY THE MATCH NEVER HAPPENED AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE 2026 SEASON Austin Hays could have been a solid…

🚨EXCLUSIVE: Are the Mets better with Bo Bichette than Pete Alonso? The debate is heating up, and fans are divided on this game-changing comparison – could this shift alter New York’s lineup for good? ll 👇👇👇

NEW YORK METS: ARE THEY BETTER OFF WITH BO BICHETTE OVER PETE ALONSO? The New York Mets have had an offseason filled with significant moves, from trading…

🚨EXCLUSIVE: Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki reveals shocking reason behind his decision not to play in the WBC for Team Japan – what does this mean for his future with the Dodgers? Fans are left wondering if this choice will have a ripple effect on his career…ll 👇👇👇

LOS ANGELES DODGERS PRIORITIZE ROOKIE SAKASI’S HEALTH, KEEPING HIM OUT OF WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC The Los Angeles Dodgers are focusing on building a championship-contending team for the…

🚨 IT’S HAPPENING: JEFF PASSAN REVEALS RED SOX STILL HAVE “ANOTHER MOVE IN THEM” TO UPGRADE INFIELD 🚨 The Red Sox аren’t done yet! Jeff Pаѕѕаn hіntѕ аt аnother mаjor move to ѕtrengthen the іnfіeld. Whаt’ѕ next for Boѕton’ѕ offѕeаѕon?

The Boѕton Red ѕox аre not done yet. Deѕріte аn аlreаdy buѕy offѕeаѕon, MLB іnѕіder Jeff раѕѕаn hаѕ juѕt reveаled thаt the Red ѕox ѕtіll hаve one more mаjor move рlаnned аѕ they…