Tyler Matzek

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Tyler Matzek

|image = Tyler Matzek during batting practice, Aug 05 2022 (cropped).jpg

|image_size =

|caption = Matzek with the Braves in 2022

|team = St. Louis Cardinals

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|10|19}}

|birth_place = Mission Viejo, California, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 11

|debutyear = 2014

|debutteam = Colorado Rockies

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = May 14, 2025

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 16–21

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 3.73

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 279

|teams =

Colorado Rockies ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2022}}, {{mlby|2024}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2025}})

|highlights =

World Series champion ({{wsy|2021}})

}}

Tyler Alexander Matzek (born October 19, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees.

The Rockies selected Matzek in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2014. He did not play in the major leagues after 2015 until he pitched for the Braves in 2020. Matzek was a member of the 2021 World Series champions with Atlanta.

Career

=Amateur career=

Matzek played baseball at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, California, where he was a teammate of future big leaguer Kyle Hendricks.{{Cite web |last=Mahoney |first=Jon |date=2009-03-25 |title=RISE Mag: Mahoney: Matzek stakes claim as top prep pitcher |url=https://www.espn.com/highschool/rise/baseball/news/story?id=4015509 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He struck out 102 in {{frac|86|2|3}} innings pitched with an 0.97 earned run average (ERA) his senior year, leading his team to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) championship and earning the CIF Orange County Player of the Year. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round, 11th overall, in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090609&content_id=5229228&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613053912/http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090609&content_id=5229228&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2009 |title=Rockies draft hard-throwing prep lefty |publisher=Colorado.rockies.mlb.com |date=March 27, 2014 |access-date=June 10, 2014}}

=Colorado Rockies=

On August 17, 2009, Matzek agreed to a $3.9 million signing bonus to join the Colorado Rockies organization.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Jeff |date=2009-08-18 |title=Oregon recruit Tyler Matzek signs late multi-million dollar deal with Rockies |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2009/08/oregon_recruit_tyler_matzek_si.html |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=OregonLive}} He did not pitch professionally in 2009.

Prior to the 2010 season he was ranked by Baseball America as the 23rd best prospect in baseball. Playing for the Single-A Asheville Tourists, he compiled a win–loss record of 5–1 with a 2.92 ERA and 88 strikeouts in {{frac|89|1|3}} innings of work over 18 starts. However, he struggled with control, walking 62 and hitting 4 batters. Prior to 2011 Baseball America ranked him as the 32nd best prospect. He started the season with the High-A Modesto Nuts, but struggled mightily, going 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA with 46 walks in 33 innings. He was demoted back to Asheville, where he made three rather unsuccessful starts before going on a "little mental break" after his start on June 17. He returned to Asheville on July 20 to finish the season.{{cite web|last=Whicker |first=Mark |url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/matzek-309395-marshall-fullmer.html |title=Tyler Matzek hits the reset button |date=July 23, 2011 |publisher=Ocregister.com |access-date=June 10, 2014}} He went 5-4 with a 4.36 ERA with the Tourists in 2011, striking out 74 and walking 50 in 64 innings.

Matzek started the 2012 season with Modesto.{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/17/former-top-rockies-prospects-find-the-road-back/ |title=Former top Rockies prospects find the road back |date=April 18, 2012 |publisher=Hardballtalk.nbcsports.com |access-date=June 10, 2014}} He was a mid-season All-Star in the California League, going 4-3 with a 3.24 ERA before the break, striking out 83 and walking 52 in 75 innings. His second half was slightly worse than the first, and he finished 2012 going 6-8 with a 4.62 ERA, striking out a league-leading 153 and walking a league-leading 95. In 2013, he pitched for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers.{{cite web|last=Moss |first=Irv |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_23697191/tyler-matzek-an-improved-pitcher-double-tulsa-drillers |title=Tyler Matzek an improved pitcher with Double-A Tulsa Drillers |publisher=Denverpost.com |date=July 20, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2014}} He was also a mid-season All-Star in the Texas League, going 3-6 with a 4.04 ERA before the break, striking out 55 and walking 40 in {{frac|75|2|3}} innings. His second half was slightly better this year, and he finished 2013 with the Drillers 8-9 with a 3.79 ERA, striking out 95 and walking 76 in {{frac|142|1|3}} innings. After the year, Matzek pitched for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, where in 10 games of relief, he went 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.457 WHIP, earning him a selection to the AFL Fall Stars Game. Matzek was added to the Rockies 40-man roster on November 20, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2013/11/20/tyler-matzek-rockies-former-no-1-pick-added-to-40-man-roster/16019/ |title=Tyler Matzek, Rockies' former No. 1 pick, added to 40-man roster |publisher=Blogs.denverpost.com |date=November 20, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2014}} He started the 2014 season with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox.{{cite web|last=Groke |first=Nick |url=http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_25693427/triple-lefty-tyler-matzek-pitching-call-up-colorado |title=Tyler Matzek's pro journey pitching a call-up to Colorado Rockies |publisher=Denverpost.com |date=February 17, 2014 |access-date=June 10, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Briggeman |first=Brent |url=http://gazette.com/rising-star-matzek-ready-for-altitude-test/article/1518039 |title=Rising star Matzek ready for altitude test |publisher=Gazette.com |date=April 10, 2014 |access-date=June 10, 2014}} He made 12 starts for the SkySox before earning his first promotion to the major leagues, going 5-4 with a 4.05 ERA, striking out 61 and walking 31 in {{frac|66|2|3}} innings.

Matzek was promoted to the Colorado Rockies on June 11, 2014, to replace Eddie Butler, who went on the disabled-list after his major league debut. Matzek made his major league debut that day, giving up two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks in seven innings in an 8-2 victory against the Atlanta Braves.{{cite web|author=Patrick Saunders|work=The Denver Post |url=http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_25931372/rockies-turn-rookie-tyler-matzek-debut-wednesday-against |title=Rockies turn to rookie Tyler Matzek to debut Wednesday against Braves |date=December 12, 2012 |access-date=June 10, 2014}} He also recorded his first hit off of Julio Teherán, an infield-single in the 7th inning, and he later scored. Matzek got his first career complete game shutout September 5, 2014 vs the San Diego Padres. In the game, he gave up three hits and the Rockies won the game 3-0. At the end of the season, Matzek won 6 games while losing 11 in 19 starts.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzety01.shtml|title=Tyler Matzek Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=January 10, 2017}}

Matzek began the 2015 season in the Rockies rotation, but after experiencing control problems he was sent down to Triple-A. He would spend the rest of the season in Triple-A.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=matzek001tyl|title=Tyler Matzek Register Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=January 10, 2017}} Matzek began the 2016 season on the disabled list, and spent the entirety of the season with Modesto and the Double–A Hartford Yard Goats. On June 26, 2016, Matzek was removed from the 40–man roster after clearing outright waivers.{{cite news |last1=Groke |first1=Nick |title=Jose Reyes back on the Mets’ radar while waiting for Rockies waivers to clear |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/21/jose-reyes-back-on-the-mets-radar-while-waiting-for-rockies-waivers-to-clear/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |work=Denver Post |date=June 21, 2016}} In 33 relief outings split between the two affiliates, he struggled to a 6.75 ERA with 33 strikeouts across {{fraction|26|2|3}} innings pitched. Matzek elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=July 20, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

On March 13, 2017, Matzek signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.{{cite news |title=Tyler Matzek hopes tough journey from 1st rounder to indy ball ends in Atlanta |url=https://theathletic.com/1662993/2020/03/08/tyler-matzek-hopes-tough-journey-from-1st-rounder-to-indy-ball-ends-in-atlanta/ |access-date=October 18, 2021 |date=March 8, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.southsidesox.com/2017/2/18/14657250/white-sox-tyler-matzek-continues-to-battle-back-to-the-majors|title=White Sox' Tyler Matzek continues to battle back to the majors|date=February 18, 2017|website=South Side Sox}} He was released by the team on March 28. After leaving the White Sox organization, Matzek did not play professionally in 2017.{{cite news |last1=DiComo |first1=Anthony |title=Castoff to clutch: Matzek's mettle key in G1 |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/tyler-matzek-key-to-braves-nlcs-game-1-win |access-date=October 17, 2021 |work=MLB.com |date=October 17, 2021}}

On February 10, 2018, Matzek signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners organization.{{Cite web|title=CWL's Tyler Matzek Finds Big-League Home With Seattle Mariners|url=https://californiawinterleague.com/2018/02/10/cwls-tyler-matzek-finds-big-league-home-with-seattle-mariners/|access-date=July 22, 2024|website=californiawinterleague.com|language=en}} He was released by Seattle prior to the season on March 30.{{cite news |last1=Eddy |first1=Matt |title=Minor League Transactions |url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-transactions-march-30-april-5-2018/ |work=Baseball America |date=April 8, 2018}}

=Texas AirHogs=

On April 12, 2018, Matzek signed with the Texas AirHogs of the independent American Association. In {{frac|88|2|3}} innings, he struck out 93 batters but walked 66 batters.{{cn|date=August 2019}}

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On January 15, 2019, Matzek signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks following a showcase with Driveline baseball.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1085380989034156032|title=Robert Murray on Twitter}} He was released on May 16, 2019.

=Texas AirHogs (second stint)=

On June 9, 2019, Matzek signed with the Texas AirHogs of the American Association. He had a 2.64 ERA and 53 strikeouts in {{frac|30|2|3}} innings pitched.{{cn|date=August 2019}}

= Atlanta Braves =

On August 14, 2019, Matzek's contract was purchased by the Atlanta Braves. Matzek began his stint with the Mississippi Braves, their Double-A affiliate.{{cite news |last1=Bush |first1=Justin |title=Braves promote first-round pick Braden Shewmake to M-Braves from Low-A Rome |url=https://www.milb.com/mississippi/news/braves-promote-first-round-pick-braden-shewmake-to-m-braves-from-low-a-310049088 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705223300/https://www.milb.com/mississippi/news/braves-promote-first-round-pick-braden-shewmake-to-m-braves-from-low-a-310049088 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |access-date=July 30, 2024 |publisher=Minor League Baseball |date=August 16, 2019}} After just one appearance in which he pitched {{frac|2|1|3}} innings and had five strikeouts, Matzek was promoted to the Braves Triple-A affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers.{{cn|date=August 2019}}

File:Tyler Matzek (51101651627) (cropped).png

For the 2020 season, Matzek made the Opening Day roster, marking his first appearance in the majors since 2015. In 2020 he was 4-3 with a 2.79 ERA in 21 relief appearances covering 29 innings in which he struck out 43 batters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzety01.shtml|title=Tyler Matzek Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}

In 2021 he was 0–4 with a 2.57 ERA in 69 relief appearances in which he pitched 63 innings and struck out 77 batters. In Game 6 of the 2021 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Matzek picked up the win with two perfect innings and four strikeouts. Matzek entered the game in a no-out jam with runners on second and third and struck out the side as the Braves clinched their first pennant since 1999.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2021/10/24/tyler-matzek-braves-world-series-nlcs/6165076001/|title = 'Mind-blowing what he just did': Tyler Matzek makes name for himself in leading Atlanta to World Series|website = USA Today}} Matzek was a relief pitcher in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series, which Atlanta won to clinch the title.

Matzek began the 2022 season with 13 relief appearances in which he went 0–1 with a 5.06 ERA. On May 17, the Braves placed him on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation.{{cite news |title=Atlanta Braves place reliever Tyler Matzek on 15-day IL because of shoulder discomfort |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33932291/atlanta-braves-place-reliever-tyler-matzek-il-shoulder-discomfort |access-date=October 12, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=May 17, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Gabriel |title=Injured Braves left-hander Tyler Matzek begins long-toss routine |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/injured-braves-left-hander-tyler-matzek-begins-long-toss-routine/WDRYQNE2S5EJTKMYBIIMBTKGKY/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=July 10, 2022}} Matzek did not return to the team until July 4.{{cite news |title=Eddie Rosario, Tyler Matzek return for Braves |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/eddie-rosario-tyler-matzek-return-for-braves/HLWXLYUNBVHP7L22E677HGQZAQ/ |access-date=October 12, 2022 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=July 4, 2022}} On August 9, Matzek recorded his first career save after pitching a scoreless 11th inning against the Boston Red Sox.{{Cite web|title=Braves News: Tyler Matzek records first career save, Orlando Arcia injured, more|url=https://www.batterypower.com/2022/8/10/23299404/atlanta-braves-boston-red-sox-tyler-matzek-orlando-arcia-austin-riley|access-date=2023-05-30|website=batterypower.com|language=en}}

Having been left off of the roster for the 2022 NLDS due to elbow discomfort, Braves manager Brian Snitker announced on October 12, a few hours prior to Game 2, that Matzek would undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of the postseason.{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Jesse |title=Braves reliever Tyler Matzek undergoing Tommy John surgery |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34782644/braves-reliever-tyler-matzek-undergoing-tommy-john-surgery |access-date=October 12, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |date=October 12, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Henry |first1=George |title=Braves' Matzek has Tommy John surgery, out 12-18 months |url=https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-baseball-atlanta-braves-df9a4b8e429e5bd9fc2662131632c861 |access-date=October 12, 2022 |work=Associated Press News |date=October 12, 2022}}

On November 18, 2022, the Braves signed Matzek to a 2-year, $3.1 million contract extension with a club option for 2025.{{cite news |title=Braves ink injured LHP Tyler Matzek to 2-year, $3.1M deal |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35054510/braves-ink-injured-lhp-tyler-matzek-2-year-31m-deal |access-date=November 22, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=November 19, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=Braves sign Tyler Matzek to two-year contract |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-sign-tyler-matzek-to-two-year-contract/D4IDIXSYMJCNXCM265XE2324GE/ |access-date=November 22, 2022 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=November 18, 2022}} He did not appear in a game in 2023 as he continued to recover from surgery. Matzek began the 2024 campaign with Atlanta, but struggled to a 9.90 ERA with 10 strikeouts across 11 appearances. He was placed on the injured list with left elbow inflammation on May 7,{{cite news |title=Braves bullpen takes another hit as left-hander Tyler Matzek lands on 15-day injured list |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/05/07/braves-bullpen-takes-another-hit-as-left-hander-tyler-matzek-lands-on-15-day-injured-list/ |access-date=July 30, 2024 |work=San Diego Union Tribune |date=May 7, 2024}} and was transferred to the 60–day injured list on June 4.{{cite news |title=Braves sign veteran infielder/outfielder Brian Anderson |url=https://www.centraloregondaily.com/sports/braves-sign-veteran-infielder-outfielder-brian-anderson/article_fd20e6fb-ed07-5b4c-a778-957143d8a9a6.html?=/&subcategory=195%7CTheatre |access-date=July 30, 2024 |work=Central Oregon Daily |date=June 4, 2024}}

= San Francisco Giants =

On July 29, 2024, Matzek and minor league infielder Sabin Ceballos were traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson.{{Cite web|last=Guardado|first=Maria|title=Giants land LHP Matzek, Minor League INF Ceballos from Braves for Soler, Jackson|url=https://www.mlb.com/giants/news/jorge-soler-luke-jackson-traded-by-giants-to-braves|website=MLB.com|date=July 29, 2024|access-date=July 30, 2024}} He made five rehab outings for the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats, posting a 5.79 ERA with 3 strikeouts. Matzek was released by the Giants on August 30.{{cite news |last1=Guardado |first1=Maria |title=Estrada outrighted to Triple-A amid tough season |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/thairo-estrada-outrighted-by-giants |access-date=May 16, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=August 30, 2024}}

=Atlanta Braves (second stint)=

On August 31, 2024, Matzek signed a minor league contract to return to the Atlanta Braves organization.[https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-08-31 Minor League Baseball] In 4 games for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, he logged a 4.76 ERA with 5 strikeouts across {{fraction|5|2|3}} innings pitched. Matzek elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

=New York Yankees=

On February 10, 2025, Matzek signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Brian |title=Matzek joins Yanks on Minor League deal |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-matzek-minor-league-deal-yankees |access-date=May 16, 2025 |publisher=MLB.com |date=February 11, 2025}}{{cite news |title=Yankees add left-hander Tyler Matzek as non-roster invitee |url=https://www.yesnetwork.com/news/yankees-add-left-hander-tyler-matzek-as-non-roster-invitee |access-date=May 16, 2025 |publisher=YES Network |date=February 11, 2025}} He began the year with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. On April 22, the Yankees selected Matzek's contract, adding him to their active roster.{{cite news |title=Yankees sign lefty reliever Tyler Matzek, DFA Yoendrys Gómez |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2025/04/22/yankees-tyler-matzek-dfa-yoendrys-gomez-roster/83215073007/ |access-date=May 16, 2025 |work=Bergen Record |date=April 22, 2025}} In seven appearances for New York, he recorded a 4.26 ERA with seven strikeouts over {{fraction|6|1|3}} innings pitched. Matzek was designated for assignment on May 16.{{cite news |last1=Castillo |first1=Jorge |title=Yankees activate righty Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow) off injured list |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45180510/yankees-activate-rhp-jonathan-loaisiga-elbow-injured-list |access-date=May 16, 2025 |publisher=ESPN.com |date=May 16, 2025}} He elected to become a free agent on May 19, rather than accept an outright assignment to Scranton.{{Cite web|title=Tyler Matzek Elects Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/tyler-matzek-elects-free-agency-yankees.html|access-date=May 27, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

=St. Louis Cardinals=

On June 3, 2025, Matzek signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals Sign Tyler Matzek To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/06/cardinals-sign-tyler-matzek-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=June 3, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}

Personal life

Matzek is married to Lauren, whom he met in high school.{{cite news |last1=Saunders |first1=Patrick |title=Tyler Matzek, former Rockies' top pick, overcomes yips to shine for Braves' bullpen |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/10/12/tyler-matzek-braves-rockies-top-pick-anxiety-yips/ |access-date=October 26, 2021 |work=Denver Post |date=October 12, 2020}} Republished by the [https://www.fortmorgantimes.com/2020/10/12/tyler-matzek-braves-rockies-top-pick-anxiety-yips/ Fort Morgan Times] She underwent cancer treatment in 2017,{{cite news |last1=Whicker |first1=Mark |title=Braves' Tyler Matzek is putting finishing touches on a monumental comeback |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/25/whicker-braves-tyler-matzek-is-putting-finishing-touches-on-a-monumental-comeback/ |access-date=October 26, 2021 |work=Orange County Register |date=October 25, 2021}} while convincing Tyler to continue his professional baseball career, despite the yips that frustrated both Matzek and his catching partner, his younger brother Kyle.{{cite magazine |last1=Apstein |first1=Stephanie |title=Tyler Matzek's Improbable Journey to Immortality in Atlanta |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/10/24/tyler-matzek-game-6-nlcs |access-date=October 26, 2021 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=October 24, 2021}} Through Michael McKenry, Matzek met Jason Kuhn, a former collegiate baseball player and Navy SEAL who trained Matzek.{{cite news |last1=Saunders |first1=Patrick |title=How Tyler Matzek conquered the yips and became the MLB postseason's most dominant reliever: "He's all heart and courage" |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2021/10/26/tyler-matzek-atlanta-braves-conquers-yips/ |access-date=October 26, 2021 |work=Denver Post |date=October 26, 2021}} Republished by the [https://www.presstelegram.com/2021/10/25/whicker-braves-tyler-matzek-is-putting-finishing-touches-on-a-monumental-comeback/ Press-Telegram]