Freshening Up the Cardinals' Bullpen with Tyler Matzek
Acquired All-Star reliever from the World Series squad to augment the relief pitching unit in the lineup
St. Louis Cardinals' fans might be rubbing their eyes in disbelief as their team just made a splashy move to their relief corps. John Mozeliak has brought in Tyler Matzek, a former World Series hero, to shake things up.
While the Cardinals' bullpen has shown improvement since its early-season struggles, it's clear that additional muscle was needed to maintain top form throughout the season. With Matzek's arrival, the Redbirds are taking a swing at boosting their ranks.
Matzek Lands in St. Louis on a Minor League Deal
Matzek, who was designated for assignment by the New York Yankees a few weeks ago, has now signed a minor league contract with the Cardinals and is set to report to Memphis. In his seven outings with the Yankees this year, Matzek recorded a 4.26 ERA across 6.1 innings and struck out seven batters[1][3][5]. Apparently, the Yankees felt they didn't need his services anymore.
Signed by the Yankees in the offseason, Matzek boasts a productive career as a reliever, particularly from 2020 to 2022 as a member of the Atlanta Braves. During that three-year run, Matzek posted a 2.92 ERA in 132 games, averaging over 10 strikeouts per nine innings. Matzek played a crucial role in the Braves' World Series championship run in 2021, and overall in the big leagues, boasts a 1.48 ERA in 20 postseason games[3][5].
Matzek underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of 2022, which kept him sidelined for the entire 2023 season and reduced his big league appearance in 2024 to just 10 innings. Given his recovery timeline, it's not surprising that it's taking some time for him to return to form. The Cardinals are taking a calculated risk by signing Matzek to a minor league deal[3].
Matzek's left-handed pitching adds some urgently needed depth to the Cardinals' side. JoJo Romero has been erratic this year, while John King hasn't provided any production in his outings. With Steven Matz delivering consistently, the Cardinals need more options, especially since they employ Matz in various roles, not just high-leverage situations[2].
Matzek's Velocity Remains Consistent
Matzek could be an intriguing wild card for the Cardinals. His fastball velocity averaged 94.5 MPH with the Yankees this year, comparable to his velocity after returning from injury last year and on par with his last healthy season with the Braves. Despite a career year in which he surpassed the 96 MPH mark, Matzek will need to show that his prized pitch is back in fighting form if he wants to shine in St. Louis[1].
Matzek is primarily a four-seam fastball pitcher, using a slider and occasional sinker as his secondary offerings. Historically, his fastball has served as his bread and butter, so he'll have to prove that this pitch is back in his repertoire if he hopes to make an impact in St. Louis[3].
For now, Matzek is heading to Memphis, where he hopes to hear his name called to join the Cardinals' bullpen. With a stretch of 28 games in 29 days coming up, Matzek is primed to get his shot in St. Louis this month. If he delivers, he could push King out of the lefty mix[3]. Keep an eye on how Matzek performs in Memphis over the coming weeks.
Tyler Matzek's acquisition by the St. Louis Cardinals might bring a boost to their baseball roster, as he previously showcased strong performance in the MLB, especially during his stint with the Atlanta Braves. The Cardinals are counting on Matzek's left-handed pitching to provide the bullpen with much-needed depth, especially with the inconsistent performances from JoJo Romero and John King.
