Tyler Matzek’s time in pinstripes has come to an early end. The veteran left-handed reliever, once a postseason standout for the Atlanta Braves, has officially chosen to enter free agency after being designated for assignment by the New York Yankees.
Matzek was promoted to the Yankees’ bullpen in late April in hopes that he could rediscover the dominant form that defined his career peak in 2020 and 2021. At that time, Matzek was a key contributor to Atlanta’s bullpen, most notably during their 2021 World Series run. In that postseason, he delivered clutch performances, allowing just one run over 5.1 innings across the Division Series and the Fall Classic, solidifying his reputation as a pressure-tested reliever.
However, Matzek’s comeback bid in New York fell short. Following his recovery from Tommy John surgery, he appeared in just seven games for the Yankees before the team designated him for assignment last week. Rather than accept an outright assignment to the minor leagues, Matzek cleared waivers and chose free agency, as first reported by MLB’s Bryan Hoch.
This move now opens the door for Matzek to seek a fresh opportunity with a club that may be willing to take a chance on his experience and potential upside. While his stint with the Yankees was brief and underwhelming, his prior postseason heroics and left-handed arm could make him an intriguing pickup for teams in need of bullpen depth.
As Matzek hits the open market, he’ll look to prove he still has the stuff that once made him one of the most reliable relievers in October
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