Matzek (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Saturday and will report to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Matzek has spent parts of the last five-plus seasons with Atlanta and had occupied a spot on the big club's 60-day injured list before he was dealt to the Giants in July. The left-hander began a rehab assignment with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate Aug. 13, but he wasn't activated before San Francisco released him last week. Now back in the Atlanta organization, Matzek is ostensibly healthy now after making five rehab appearances and will look to impress at Gwinnett over the next couple of weeks with the hope of earning a promotion to the big club.
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Giants' Tyler Matzek: Put on waivers
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The Giants placed Matzek (elbow) on waivers Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chroniclereports.
Matzek has been on the shelf since early May due to elbow inflammation, and he's given up three earned runs over 4.2 innings with Triple-A Sacramento since beginning a rehab assignment Aug. 13. He's trending toward a return from the 60-day injured list sometime in September and can now be picked up by another team that is willing to pay the remainder of his salary for the season. If he passes through waivers unclaimed, the 33-year-old southpaw will remain with the Giants.
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Giants' Tyler Matzek: Initiates rehab assignment
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Matzek (elbow) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento last week and has given up two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk while striking out a batter across two innings over his two appearances.
Matzek had resided on Atlanta's injured list since early May while recovering from elbow inflammation before he was dealt to San Francisco on July 29. The left-hander completed his throwing progression shortly after joining his new organization and is now in the midst of a rehab assignment that could be extended into September if the Giants aren't satisfied with his results at Sacramento. He's scheduled to make his next appearance for the Triple-A club Tuesday, according to MLB.com.
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Giants' Tyler Matzek: Dealt to San Francisco
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San Francisco acquired Matzek (elbow) and minor-league infielder Sabin Ceballos from Atlanta on Monday in exchange for right-handed reliever Luke Jackson and outfielder Jorge Soler, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Matzek has been out early May while dealing with inflammation in his throwing elbow and isn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list until late August or early September. The left-hander has struggled to a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over 10 innings in 11 appearances out of the bullpen with Atlanta this season. Once healthy, Matzek will likely operate in a low-leverage role out of the Giants bullpen.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Throwing at 90 feet
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Matzek (elbow) has been playing catch from 90 feet, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Matzek has been shelved since May 7 due to inflammation in his left elbow. He's yet to throw off a mound and isn't anywhere close to returning at this point.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Out with elbow inflammation
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Atlanta placed Matzek on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left elbow inflammation, Grant McAuley of 929 The Game reports.
Matzek missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and has struggled in 2024, collecting a 9.90 ERA and 10:3 K:BB across 10 relief innings. It's not clear at this point how long he might be sidelined. Ray Kerr is up to take Matzek's spot in Atlanta's bullpen.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Velocity nearly back
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Matzek touched 95 mph with his fastball during Sunday's Grapefruit League appearance, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
The southpaw's velocity is nearly back to what it was prior to his October 2022 Tommy John surgery, and Matzek certainly looked healthy enough Sunday as he struck out four Red Sox over two perfect innings in a split-squad game. Considering he didn't pitch at all in 2023, Atlanta will likely ease him back into action with lower-leverage duties to begin the season, but a return to the form that saw him post a 2.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 29.2 percent strikeout rate and 24 holds over 63 innings in 2021 doesn't seem far off.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Will return soon
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Matzek (side) is expected to return to Grapefruit League play in the next few days, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Matzek hasn't been available for a few days while dealing with some left side soreness, but he threw a bullpen session Monday and it sounds like he's mostly over the issue. The southpaw reliever has made three scoreless appearances this spring and looks ready to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen after missing all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Dealing with rib injury
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Matzek wasn't available for Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Orioles in the Grapefruit League after experiencing tightness around his left rib cage, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Matzek pushed to pitch Saturday, but the Atlanta training and coaching staffs ultimately decided to hold him out as a matter of precaution. Assuming Matzek's injury isn't a lingering concern that prevents him from getting back on the mound within the next few days, he should be in good position to win a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day bullpen.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Might open season on IL
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Matzek (elbow) feels healthy to begin the spring and is aiming to be ready for Opening Day, but an IL stint to begin the season hasn't been ruled out, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Atlanta has the bullpen depth to take things slowly with Matzek as he completes his recovery from Tommy John surgery, so he might end up needing a brief IL stint to allow him to finish ramping up. The 33-year-old southpaw didn't pitch at all in 2023, and his numbers declined in 2022 prior to undergoing surgery that October, but the team is hoping Matzek can return to the form that saw him post a 2.64 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 120:47 K:BB over 92 innings in 2020-21.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Expected back in spring
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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.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Shifts to 60-day IL
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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.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Re-signs with Atlanta
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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.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Getting Tommy John surgery
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Rehab start begins Monday
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Matzek (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Monday at Single-A Augusta, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Matzek has been cleared for game action after he tossed a live batting practice session Saturday without issue. The 31-year-old has been sidelined since mid-May with shoulder inflammation and will likely need at least two rehab appearances before Atlanta brings him back from the 15-day injured list.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Begins long toss
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Matzek (shoulder) was cleared to begin a long toss routine Friday, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The southpaw has been sidelined for a month so far due to shoulder inflammation, but he's ready to take the next step in his recovery. Matzek doesn't appear to be particularly close to rejoining the Atlanta bullpen, and he might need a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the IL.
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Braves' Tyler Matzek: Shut down from throwing
Rotowire
Matzek has no structural damage in his left shoulder and has been shut down from throwing for a couple weeks before being re-evaluated, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The left-hander underwent an MRI after landing on the injured list with shoulder inflammation Tuesday, and he's avoided a more serious injury. Matzek figures to be sidelined until at least mid-June, as he'll need some time to build his arm back up after the shutdown.
