Signed as insurance, ex-champ emerges Yankees’ inevitable left-handed pen anchor

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In the high-stakes chess match of building a championship-caliber bullpen, the New York Yankees appear to have discovered an unexpected solution to their left-handed relief needs. Tyler Matzek, once a pivotal piece of Atlanta’s 2021 World Series triumph, is making a compelling case to resurrect his career in pinstripes.

The 33-year-old southpaw, whose career trajectory has been anything but conventional, delivered an efficient nine-pitch scoreless inning against Minnesota in his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday. More importantly, his fastball averaged 94.6 mph — approaching the velocity that made him one of baseball’s most reliable relievers before Tommy John surgery derailed his career in 2022.

“You watch him and it’s like, you feel like we got something there,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Obviously, he was a premier reliever 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.”

For the Yankees, who have actively sought left-handed bullpen reinforcement, Matzek represents a potentially significant addition. His emergence comes at an opportune moment, as Scott Effross suffered a hamstring injury on Tuesday, potentially creating additional roster flexibility.

Rebuilding velocity and confidence

Matzek’s journey back from Tommy John surgery has been arduous. After missing the entire 2023 season with persistent elbow inflammation that complicated his rehabilitation, he returned for limited appearances with Atlanta in 2024, where his fastball averaged 93.6 mph.

His early velocity readings this spring suggest he’s not merely regaining his pre-injury form but potentially exceeding it — a development that hasn’t escaped his attention.

“I take a peek at [the velocity] just so I know where I’m at and if my stuff’s effective that day—if I gotta be a junk ball pitcher that day or if I can actually use my four-seam,” Matzek said. “I was pleased with where the velocity was at. Shows I’m healthy.”

The left-hander’s ambitions extend beyond simply returning to his previous standard. “That’s what this whole thing’s about—I want to get to that guy and even better than that guy,” Matzek emphasized. “I just take it one day at a time, one step at a time. But I’m feeling fantastic right now.”

Filling a critical roster need

The Yankees have been actively searching for reliable left-handed relief options, and Matzek’s resurgence could be the answer. Earlier this month, the team re-signed veteran lefty Tim Hill, ensuring they would have at least one southpaw in the bullpen. However, adding another left-handed option would provide Boone with greater flexibility in matchups.

If Matzek continues to impress, he could join a bullpen group that is shaping up to include:

• Devin Williams (closer)
• Luke Weaver (setup man)
• Tim Hill (left-handed specialist)
• Ian Hamilton
• Mark Leiter Jr.
• Fernando Cruz

His primary competition has thinned following Effross’s injury, potentially creating a clearer path to the Opening Day roster. If Matzek secures a spot, he would join a relief corps that appears formidable on paper but still seeks additional left-handed depth.

A career defined by resilience

Matzek’s potential Yankees chapter would add another remarkable twist to one of baseball’s most unusual career arcs. After being selected in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft by Colorado, he struggled with severe control problems that forced him out of affiliated baseball entirely from 2016 to 2019.

His resurrection with Atlanta in 2020 became one of baseball’s most compelling comeback stories. Over three seasons with the Braves (2020-2022), Matzek posted a 2.92 ERA across 132 appearances, becoming a trusted high-leverage option before elbow issues necessitated Tommy John surgery.

Now, at 33, he’s attempting to write another improbable chapter in his career — this time in the intense spotlight of Yankee Stadium.

“I’m pleased with where I’m at,” Matzek said. “The process has taken a little while, but I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s starting to get me where I feel like I can get out there and compete on the field.”

Potential impact on Yankees’ postseason dream

For a Yankees team constructed with October aspirations, bullpen depth remains critical. Recent postseasons have demonstrated the outsized importance of relief pitching, with games increasingly managed backward from the ninth inning.

If Matzek can recapture — or even exceed — his pre-injury effectiveness, he could provide Boone with a versatile option capable of neutralizing left-handed threats in high-leverage situations. His experience performing under playoff pressure during Atlanta’s championship run adds another dimension that the Yankees clearly value.

As the spring progresses, Matzek will need to demonstrate consistency and durability, but his initial showing suggests the Yankees may have uncovered a valuable bullpen asset. For a team seeking every possible competitive advantage in the challenging AL East, Matzek’s emergence could prove particularly timely.

With opening day approaching, the veteran lefty’s comeback bid represents one of spring’s most intriguing storylines — and potentially one of the Yankees’ most significant under-the-radar additions as they pursue championship number 28.

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