As the beginning of spring training inches slowly closer, Major League Baseball teams are looking to put the finishing touches on their rosters for 2025. The Philadelphia Phillies look set and are ready to get to work in Clearwater, Florida, but the front office is still poking around the free agent pool.
With many players still looking for jobs, some free agent pitchers have been putting on bullpen sessions to showcase their talents for interested teams. The Phillies have been keeping tabs on pitchers who have been showcasing their wares recently. They had scouts in attendance to watch future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, and then recently also took in a showcase by former Atlanta Braves reliever Tyler Matzek, according to Sports Illustrated’s Pat Ragazzo.
The 34-year-old left-hander also drew interest from the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, per Ragazzo.
Scouts who watched free agent lefty reliever Tyler Matzek’s bullpen in Irvine, Cali yesterday felt he looked strong and healthy
Could be an MLB bullpen option for teams. Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Phillies among those who attended and fit
— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) January 24, 2025
Former Braves reliever Tyler Matzek draws Phillies’ interest with healthy bullpen showcase
Matzek, who had been with the Braves since 2020, missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He only threw 10 innings last season before hitting the 60-day IL with elbow inflammation. He was then dealt to the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline and was later released.
The former first-round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies has a career 3.72 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 272 strikeouts in 285 1/3 innings.
In 2022, he registered a 3.50 ERA in 43 2/3 innings but dealt with shoulder problems. In his last fully healthy season in 2021, Matzek posted a 2.57 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 77 strikeouts in 63 innings. He was a key cog in the Braves bullpen in the postseason that year, helping Atlanta win the World Series with a 1.72 ERA and 0.89 WHIP with 24 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings.
Now that Matzek is healthy, the Phillies might consider another addition to the bullpen depth. With three left-handers (Matt Strahm, José Alvarado and Tanner Banks) lined up for the season, the front office might want another lefty option as a depth piece to balance things out — they currently have no other left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster. He likely wouldn’t cost much, perhaps even on a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.
