Tyler Matzek DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Free-agent left-hander Tyler Matzek is signing a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees on Monday after he recently impressed scouts in a showcase. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw will head to the American League East after appearing in only 11 games out of the bullpen for the Atlanta Braves in 2024. In his 11 outings over 10 innings, Matzek gave up 11 earned runs on 16 hits (three homers) while walking three and striking out 10. He didn't pitch at all in the big leagues in 2023 due to injury but has a decent 3.72 ERA (3.81 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP in 285 1/3 career major-league innings while also posting a 272:142 K:BB in his 168 appearances (24 starts). Matzek will be looking to impress the Yankees coaching staff in spring training to try and win an Opening Day bullpen spot for the Bombers as a lefty specialist.

According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek (elbow) will throw for scouts on Thursday in Irvine, California. Matzek logged only ten innings of work last season before suffering a season-ending elbow injury. While the southpaw has struggled over the past few seasons, he was a dominant part of the Atlanta bullpen during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. During these two years, Matzek held a 2.64 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP across 92 innings. During Atlanta's 2021 World Series run, Matzek was a key part of the "nightshift" bullpen during the playoffs. Across 15 2/3 innings, Matzek posted a stellar 1.72 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and a 4:24 BB:K ratio during the postseason. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status before spring training, as he may earn a contract if he is past this elbow injury.

San Francisco Giants left-hander Tyler Matzek (elbow), who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves as part of the Jorge Soler trade on July 29, started a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 13, giving up two runs (one earned) over one inning. Matzek is scheduled to make his next rehab appearance for the River Cats on Tuesday. The veteran left-handed reliever had a 9.90 ERA and produced some concerning hard-hit metrics over 11 appearances for the Braves this year, but he had a 3.50 ERA over 42 outings in 2022 before having Tommy John surgery in October of that year. The 33-year-old could make his debut with the Giants in early September, but they're likely to ease him in via a low-leverage relief role down the stretch.