Another hero from the World Series winning 2021 Atlanta Braves is headed to the Bronx to join Max Fried. This time it's the man who etched his way into Atlanta sports folk lore with his unreal 2021 NLCS game six performance, Tyler Matzek. The 34 year-old Matzek will look to save his career and earn a Opening Day roster spot with the defending American League champion Yankees.
The deal is reported to be of the minor league variety and presumed to include an invite to Yankees spring training. Matzek battled injuries and underperformance in 2024, so this season may be his last real shot at sticking on a Major League roster.
The Yankees are bringing in Tyler Matzek pic.twitter.com/TZykvAEm1Q
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) February 11, 2025
Tyler Matzek set to join Yankees on minor league deal
Last season was not only nightmarish for the Atlanta Braves, but also individually for Tyler Matzek. Once a late-inning weapon just a couple seasons ago, Matzek pitched in just 11 games for Atlanta in 2024 and was hit pretty hard when he was on the mound. The noted dip in velocity (averaged just 93.6 mph on his fastball) led to an ugly 9.90 ERA and 5.97 FIP last season.
Since 2022, Matzek hasn't been able to capture the magic/velocity that made him one of baseballs elite relievers. Earlier this offseason Matzek held a showcase to try and convince teams to give him one last shot, and apparently the Yankees liked what they saw enough to bring Matzek in for a look this spring.
Braves fans held out hopes he could return to Gwinnett and serve as organizational depth, although that was probably more emotional investment than winning baseball thinking. Matzek will never have to pay for a meal in Atlanta again once he retires, but for now it appears he's going to give it one last shot with the Yankees. The odds could favor Matzek if he has a good spring considering the Yankees only have one left-handed reliever that's a lock to make the roster as of right now.