Tyler Matzek’s oblique setback adds to Yankees’ growing bullpen woes

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Injuries are already testing the Yankees’ depth in spring training, with left-hander Tyler Matzek the latest bullpen arm to go down. An oblique strain has put his availability for Opening Day in question, adding another challenge for a relief corps already dealing with setbacks.

Tyler Matzek’s oblique strain puts Opening Day in doubt

Pitching coach Matt Blake acknowledged that Matzek might not be ready for the start of the season, telling The New York Post that the Yankees want to ensure he has a “true buildup” before he returns. Oblique injuries can be unpredictable, and the team is taking a cautious approach. Given Matzek’s long road back from Tommy John surgery, there’s little reason to rush him now.

The Yankees signed Matzek to a minor-league deal this offseason, hoping he could regain the form that made him a crucial part of the Braves’ bullpen from 2020 to 2022. During that stretch, he posted a 2.92 ERA over 132 appearances and played a key role in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series title run. But after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2022 and missing all of 2023, his 2024 return was a struggle. He appeared in just 11 games and finished with a 9.90 ERA. The Yankees saw him as a potential bounce-back candidate, but with this new injury, his debut in pinstripes will have to wait.

Bullpen faces early injury concerns

The Yankees’ relief corps still has strong options, with Devin Williams set to take over as the closer and Luke Weaver expected to fill a high-leverage role. Ian Hamilton, Mark Leiter Jr., and Tim Hill are also in the mix, but injuries are already stretching the depth chart.

Jake Cousins is recovering from a forearm strain and has just started a throwing program. JT Brubaker, who fractured three ribs in a spring training game, remains sidelined with no clear return date. Scott Effross is still working his way back from arm issues and is expected to begin the season on the injured list. The Yankees built a deep bullpen over the offseason, but with so many relievers unavailable, they’ll need to rely on healthy arms to carry the load.

Clayton Beeter to start season on IL

Right-hander Clayton Beeter, one of the more intriguing young arms in camp, will also start the season on the IL. He hasn’t pitched this spring due to shoulder tightness and is now targeting a return in April through a minor-league rehab assignment, according to NJ.com’s Randy Miller.

Beeter, who is on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, made his big-league debut in 2024, appearing in three games and striking out five batters over 3.2 innings. He spent most of the year in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he posted a 2.25 ERA in 10 appearances. The Yankees had hoped he could contribute as a depth starter or reliever this year, but his early-season absence removes another potential option from the pitching staff.

What this means for the Yankees

Spring training injuries are nothing new, but the Yankees are already dealing with more than their share of setbacks. Losing Matzek for any amount of time is frustrating, especially given how promising he looked early in camp. With Beeter also unavailable, the Yankees’ pitching depth is being tested before the season even begins.

The front office may explore external options if these issues persist, but for now, the focus is on managing workloads and getting the healthy arms ready for Opening Day. Devin Williams will be counted on to lock down the ninth inning, while Weaver, Hamilton, Leiter Jr., and Hill will play key roles in the late innings.

With less than a month to go before the season opener, the Yankees will be monitoring Matzek’s recovery closely. The hope is that this oblique strain doesn’t turn into a long-term issue, but for now, patience will be key as the team works through its latest round of injuries.

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