Free agent reliever Tyler Matzek will hold a showcase for scouts on Thursday in Irvine, reports Jon Morosi of the MLB Network. The southpaw is looking to demonstrate his health after being limited to 11 major league appearances last season.
None of those came after May 4. Matzek began the year in the Braves’ bullpen. Opponents tagged him for 11 runs over 10 innings. Atlanta placed him on the injured list with elbow inflammation during the first week of May. Matzek remained on the shelf for more than three months. Atlanta dealt him to the Giants as a salary offset in the Jorge Soler deadline acquisition.
San Francisco released Matzek rather than plug him into the MLB bullpen when he was healthy. Atlanta circled back to re-sign the 34-year-old lefty to a minor league deal. Matzek pitched four times with Triple-A Gwinnett and didn’t earn a call up. He qualified for minor league free agency at season’s end.
Elbow issues have derailed Matzek in consecutive seasons. He underwent Tommy John surgery during Atlanta’s postseason run in 2022. That cost him the entire ’23 campaign. Between his age and the injuries, he’ll likely be limited to minor league offers. If Matzek’s stuff looks sharp in his showcase, he should find interest from teams as a depth option. He had a strong three-year run with Atlanta between 2020-22. Matzek combined for a 2.92 earned run average while striking out more than 27% of batters faced in 135 2/3 innings over that stretch.
Get this man some recspecs and knight him as the new Jesse Chavez.
Have to imagine it’s at UC Irvine, a really under rated campus. It is very nice.
He’s a local guy and his injury history fits perfectly here. I wouldn’t mind him on a minors deal at all if he’s healthy.
do it, friedman
Since I live on the opposite side of the country in a different league (Washington state) I am urged to admit that I would get Tyler Madzek and AJ Minter confused and mixed up quite regularly.
‘nun wrong with a good ‘ol minor league deal for any team
Looks like A’s have a spot open for the last relief role—I’d go with him or Hill.
Still holding out hope for an Alonso signing, but I’m good with Soderstrom for now. Would be great if Soderstrom could be moved in a deal for an ace like Cease/Castillo though!
Castillo wouldn’t be traded to a team in the same division…I wouldn’t think.
Matzek has had an interesting career to this point. Had a 5 year gap in between major league appearances. Shows up and pitches well for the braves now it’s back to can he pitch in the majors?