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

🚨 EARLY PAYOFF OR JUST A HOT START? The Minnesota Twins made a move that had fans scratching their heads—and now it’s suddenly looking like a genius decision. But here’s the real debate: is this proof the front office saw something everyone else missed… or are we overreacting to a small sample that won’t last? Because baseball has a way of humbling “brilliant” moves over time. If this keeps up, the Twins might’ve just outsmarted the league—or they’re setting fans up for a reality check later. Which side are you on?

When spring training opened, few expected Tristan Gray to break camp with the Minnesota Twins. Competing against more familiar names like Ryan Kreidler and Orlando Arcia, Gray…

🚨 SHOCK MOVE INCOMING? The Atlanta Braves could really trade a $42M slugger while suspended—and fans can’t decide if it’s genius or desperation. Is this a bold reset to protect the clubhouse and future… or a panic move that could cost them a championship window? Because dealing a power bat at his lowest value doesn’t just raise eyebrows—it raises serious doubts. If this actually happens, are the Braves getting ahead of a bigger problem… or creating one they can’t fix? The fanbase is already split. #Braves #MLBTradeRumors #Baseball #MLBDebate

The Atlanta Braves entered the 2026 season with legitimate postseason expectations, but that outlook has shifted dramatically following a major setback involving Jurickson Profar. After signing a…

🥚 Easter collapse or warning sign? The Baltimore Orioles didn’t just lose—they got completely swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and fans are starting to ask real questions. Was this just a bad holiday series… or is it exposing deeper issues that could derail their season early? Because contenders don’t usually “lay eggs” like this—especially not against teams they’re expected to handle. Overreaction or reality check? Orioles fans are split, and this sweep might mean a lot more than the standings show right now. #Orioles #MLB #Baseball #MLBDebate

defeat and a series sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Orioles now sit at 3–6 on the young 2026 season. While it’s still April,…

Dustin May Was Expected to Be the Cardinals’ Ace Savior — Instead, He Just Hit a Historic Low That Has St. Louis Fans in Absolute Shock and Panic!

іMаGe: ѕt. Louіѕ Cаrdіnаlѕ ѕtаrtіng ріtcher Duѕtіn Mаy (3) lookѕ on аѕ he wаlkѕ off the fіeld аfter the ѕecond іnnіng аgаіnѕt the Tаmра Bаy Rаyѕ аt…

Roman Anthony Just Dropped a Brutal Wake-Up Call on the Red Sox — After Their Disastrous 2-7 Start, This Is NOT the Message Fans Wanted to Hear… But They Desperately Needed It!

The Boѕton Red ѕox mаy be аble to reѕcue theіr ѕeаѕon ѕіnce they hаve рlаyed juѕt nіne gаmeѕ. However, they hаve а 2-7 record аnd hаve рlаyed…

🚨 BOMBSHELL: Mets stir chaos as a controversial former Yankees infielder is on the verge of a shocking move, social media erupts with fierce reactions as fans sense a rivalry about to explode in a way no one expected, and insiders reveal tensions behind this deal could reshape the entire New York narrative..ll 👇👇👇

In the early stages of the MLB season, when injuries begin to reshape rosters and force front offices into rapid decision-making, the name DJ LeMahieu has unexpectedly…