Turning non-roster invitees and under-the-radar pickups into high-level contributors in the bullpen has become a tradition for the Yankees in recent years.
Their pitching department has a knack for bringing the best out of all kinds of arms, even those who are desperate for a career resurgence.
This year’s hidden gem in the ‘pen could be Tyler Matzek, although it’s not like the left-hander has never been an effective pitcher at this level before.
The Yankees signed Matzek to a minor-league deal before camp began, a no-risk move with a high-reward upside.
Back in 2021, the southpaw was a key piece of the Braves’ championship bullpen. He posted a 2.57 ERA over 69 outings that season, carrying his success into October (1.72 ERA in 15 2/3 innings that postseason). Since then, Matzek has been held down by injuries. He had Tommy John surgery and additional elbow issues, limiting him to just 10 total innings over the last two seasons.
Early returns on Matzek at Yankees camp are encouraging. That’s one of the words Yankees manager Aaron Boone used to describe what he’s seen from the lefty so far.
“Really good, really encouraging,” Boone told reporters at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers before the Yankees’ 5-4 loss to the Twins on Tuesday. “We watch him and you feel like we got something there. Obviously he was a premier reliever [with the Braves] and then some injuries set him back the last couple years, but he looks really good. Excited to see him get into a game, excited to get him going, but early signs point to he could absolutely factor in.”
Looking at the Yankees’ bullpen options, as of Wednesday morning, Matzek is competing between a handful of relievers for two spots. Here are all of the locks to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in the bullpen:
- Devin Williams
- Luke Weaver
- Tim Hill
- Ian Hamilton
- Fernando Cruz
- Mark Leiter Jr.
That leaves two open spots if the Yankees carry 13 pitchers on their 26-man roster (eight relievers and five starters). The Marcus Stroman situation could complicate this alignment — since he’s not willing to pitch out of the bullpen — but there are a few resolutions to keep that from happening.
Keep in mind that a few arms won’t be healthy for the beginning of the season or their availability for Opening Day is uncertain at the moment. One pitcher was added to that list on Tuesday.
Scott Effross exited Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota after suffering a hamstring injury on the first pitch he threw. Testing will determine the severity of the injury, a blow for a pitcher who has only appeared in 16 MLB games since the Yankees acquired him from the Cubs at the 2022 trade deadline.
Jake Cousins got to camp with a forearm strain. He’ll factor into the big-league picture once he’s healthy, assuming he can pick back up where he left off last summer.
JT Brubaker tweaked his side when he was struck by a comebacker in Friday’s game against the Rays. He’s more insurance for the starting rotation, but could also be a long-relief option. With no minor-league options, he’ll either need to be on the big-league roster when the season begins or the injured list. Otherwise, he’ll need to be exposed to waivers.
And Jonathan Loáisiga, who re-signed with the Yankees in free agency, won’t be ready for his season debut after last year’s elbow surgery until May or June.
If Matzek can pitch well this spring, there’s a clear path for him to make the Yankees and maybe even stick. It certainly helps that he’s a left-hander considering Hill is the only other lefty in the ‘pen, unless another southpaw breaks out over these next few weeks. Brent Headrick, for instance, is already on the 40-man roster.
Clayton Beeter is another favorite to make the team as he transitions into a full-time relief role. Another options from the Yankees’ 40-man is Yoendrys Gómez. Like Brubaker, Gómez can’t be sent down to Triple-A at the conclusion of spring training.
A lot can change over these next few weeks, but if Cousins, Effross and Brubaker aren’t available, Matzek and Beeter will have the inside track to round out the bullpen.
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