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

🚨 CUBS’ BULLPEN SECRET: Ben Brown’s ‘Increased Weapons’ Taking Chicago by Storm — How His New Arsenal is Shaping the Season Early on 👇 Ben Brown’s Rising Star: The Cubs Are Leaning on His Enhanced Skills to Dominate Out of the Bullpen — What This Means for Chicago’s Playoff Hopes.

On Tuesday night, the video board in left field at Wrigley Field featured a vignette asking people to guess a Chicago Cubs player based on kids’ drawings….

🚨BREAKING: Red Sox Legend Carl Yastrzemski Facing Critical Health Battle — Fans and Baseball World Hold Their Breath as News Breaks 👀🙏👇 A Legend in Peril: Carl Yastrzemski’s Health Crisis Sends Shockwaves Through Red Sox Nation and Beyond — What This Means for the Iconic Hall of Famer.

Boston, MA — The baseball community is in unprecedented worry and grief as the family of Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski officially announced that his health is…

🚨 47 YEARS IN THE MAKING: Atlanta Braves DOMINATE with 4 Home Runs in a 17-2 Destruction of the Diamondbacks — One of MLB’s GREATEST Games Ever! 👇 Braves’ Historic Victory: 4 Home Runs, 17-2 Win — Atlanta’s Epic Performance Against Arizona That Will Go Down in MLB History!

Atlanta Braves Dominate Arizona Diamondbacks 17-2 in Explosive Offensive Showcase The Atlanta Braves delivered a commanding performance on Thursday night, overpowering the Arizona Diamondbacks with a resounding…

Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet just got brutally embarrassed by a total Astros sweep — and his raw, fiery admission “it’s not acceptable” has Boston fans raging and demanding answers right now! 😱🔥

The Boѕton Red ѕox entered the 2026 MLB ѕeаѕon wіth hіgh hoрeѕ. They аdded tаlent uр аnd down the roѕter. Through ѕіx gаmeѕ, thіngѕ hаve not gone…

👉 MLB DRAMA: Minnesota Twins FOCUS ON RESULTS, NOT UMPIRES’ FEELINGS, AS CHALLENGE STRATEGY SPARKS DEBATE

Minnesota Twins Embrace MLB Challenge System Despite Umpire Friction in 2026 Season The Minnesota Twins are quickly becoming one of the most aggressive teams in Major League…

👉 BREAKING: Atlanta Braves CALL UP MULTIPLE TOP PROSPECTS to BEGIN 2026 SEASON, ADDING YOUTH and TALENT to ORGANIZATION

Atlanta Braves Prospect Promotions 2026: Top Minor League Talents Moving Up a Level The Atlanta Braves continue to demonstrate their commitment to player development by promoting several…