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

🔥 REPORT Alden Gonzalez Makes Exciting Shohei Ohtani Prediction For 2026. Fans are buzzing over potential historic feats and game-changing moments next season..ll 👇👇👇

Shohei Ohtani Eyes Unprecedented Pitching Dominance After Historic 2025 Season Los Angeles, CA — January 4, 2026 — Shohei Ohtani has already rewritten the record books in…

🔥 EXCLUSIVE Dodgers Have ‘Checked In’ On Blue Jays Free Agent Bo Bichette. Early talks signal interest, and a potential blockbuster move could be brewing..ll 👇👇👇

Dodgers’ Quiet Offseason: Could Bo Bichette Be the Next Big Splash? Los Angeles, CA — January 4, 2026 — The Los Angeles Dodgers have been eerily quiet…

🔥 REPORT 3 Non-Kyle Tucker Moves Dodgers Could Be Prepping For After Esteury Ruiz Trade. Big shifts may be coming, signaling strategic plays that could reshape the roster..ll 👇👇👇

Dodgers’ Winter Moves: Ruiz Traded, Diaz Signed, and the Search for the Missing Piece Los Angeles, CA — January 3, 2026 — The Los Angeles Dodgers are…

🔥 OMBSHELL Unbelievable Yankees Mistake Leaves Aaron Boone Smashing Dugout In Fury! Chaos erupts as frustration boils over, leaving fans and analysts reeling at the shocking meltdown..ll 👇👇👇

Aaron Boone’s Patience Snaps as Yankees’ Mental Errors Mount New York, NY — January 3, 2026 — The New York Yankees didn’t just drop another game on…

🔥 BREAKING Yankees News: Bellinger Tendered A Formal Offer. Team moves are heating up, and this step could signal a major shake-up ahead..ll 👇👇👇

Yankees Chase Cody Bellinger: Pinstripes or Bust in 2026 Free Agency New York, NY — January 2026 — The New York Yankees have officially made their move:…

💔 HONOR He Wasn’t A Star Athlete, But A True Hero. In the darkest moments, when danger made others retreat, he stepped forward — a New York firefighter who gave his life so the city could safely welcome 2026, staying behind in 2025. Full video of the incident inside 👇👇👇..ll

New York Pauses for Danny Cook: A Firefighter’s Sacrifice Marks the Start of 2026 New York, NY — Jan. 1, 2026 — As the streets of Manhattan…