Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Friday that Matzek (elbow) is expected to be ready for spring training, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2022, Matzek resumed throwing in late May and remains on pace to return to Atlanta's bullpen for the start of 2024. The 32-year-old lefty holds a 2.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP since joining the team in 2020.
Matzek (elbow) played catch Saturday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Matzek underwent Tommy John surgery in October and has reportedly been throwing since the end of May. The 32-year-old reliever still has a long way to go in his rehab process and almost certainly won't be ready to return until next season, but it's a good sign to see Matzek get back to throwing with a bit of velocity.
Matzek (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to March 27.
Matzek's move to the 60-day IL was only a matter of time after he underwent Tommy John surgery in October. He was also dealing with a bulging disc in his back during spring training. The veteran left-hander will miss the entire 2023 campaign while recovering and rehabbing from the elbow procedure.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Recovering from bulging disc
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Matzek (elbow) is recovering from a bulging disc in his back, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The bulging disc is in addition to his ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery. Matzek underwent the reconstructive elbow procedure in October and will miss the entire 2023 campaign. He should be fully recovered from both issues come the start of spring training in 2024.
Matzek (elbow) signed a two-year, $3.1 million deal Friday that includes a $5.5 million club option for 2025.
Matzek underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in October, so he will almost certainly miss all of the 2023 season. Still, the 32-year-old southpaw has a 2.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP since joining the Braves in 2020, so it's not much of a surprise to see the team eager to lock him down for the next few years.
Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Matzek (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Earlier this week, Matzek was removed from Atlanta's roster ahead of the National League Division Series with the Phillies due to elbow discomfort, and follow-up tests evidently determined that the southpaw would need reconstructive surgery to address the issue. Even if Matzek meets the short end of the 12-to-16-month recovery timeline typical for Tommy John surgeries, he won't be available to pitch for Atlanta until at least the spring of 2024, when he'll be 33 years old. Matzek was a key piece out of the bullpen for Atlanta during last season's World Series run, but he had taken a slight step back during the 2022 campaign, logging a 3.50 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 36:29 K:BB over 43.2 innings.
Braves' Tyler Matzek: Misses NLDS roster with elbow issue
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Matzek is dealing with elbow discomfort and will not be on Atlanta's NLDS roster, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Matzek will be evaluated in Texas with the hopes of being cleared to play in the NLCS, should Atlanta get that far. The veteran lefty has been a shutdown arm in the last two postseasons, recording a combined 1.48 ERA and a 40.4 percent strikeout rate in 24.1 innings.
Matzek (3-2) picked up the win Sunday over the Marlins, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless eighth inning.
Atlanta was in a 1-0 hole when Matzek took the mound, but he kept the deficit from getting worse and was rewarded when his team rallied in the top of the ninth. The southpaw has two wins and a save in his last three appearances, and in 17 innings since the beginning of July he sports a 2.65 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, albeit with a lackluster 13:8 K:BB.
Braves' Tyler Matzek: Nails down extra-innings save
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Matzek struck out two in a perfect 11th inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a win over the Red Sox.
Deadline acquisition Raisel Iglesias worked the eighth inning and closer Kenley Jansen the ninth, leaving the extra frames to the rest of the bullpen. Dylan Lee gave up a run in the 10th after Atlanta had taken a lead, but Matzek was able to get the job done in the 11th. The southpaw's control has wavered at times this season, and he sports a 3.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 21:15 K:BB through 25.2 innings with a win and six holds in addition to Tuesday's save.
Matzek (shoulder) was activated from the injured list Monday.
Matzek has been out since injuring his shoulder in mid-May, but he completed a rehab assignment and is ready to pitch for the big club again. Matzek had a couple subpar outings earlier in the season, but he also picked up six holds, and it should not be long before he reclaims a key spot in Atlanta's bullpen.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Rehab transferred to Triple-A
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Matzek (shoulder) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.
Matzek began his rehab stint at Single-A Augusta on Monday but didn't make any appearances, and he'll progress to the Triple-A level several days later. While the southpaw seems to be closing in on a return, it's not yet clear which day he'll be able to rejoin the major-league club.
