The Braves signed left-hander Tyler Matzek to a minor league contract on August 31, according to his MLB.com biography. Matzek was sent to Triple-A Gwinnett today. If Matzek signs before September 1, he will be eligible for the Braves’ postseason roster.
Matzek is no stranger to playoff baseball in Atlanta, having served as a vital component of the Braves’ bullpen during their World Series title run in 2021. He put up more great numbers in 2022, but a Tommy John surgery in October prevented him from making another postseason run. Matzek returned to action this year after missing the entire 2023 season while recovering from surgery, but he recorded a 9.90 ERA in 10 major league innings for the Braves.
Matzek was placed on the disabled list in May after suffering from elbow inflammation, and he has not pitched in the majors since. Atlanta dealt Matzek to the Giants at the deadline as part of the Jorge Soler transaction, and he appeared in five games with the Giants’ Triple-A team before being released earlier this week.
Matzek has returned to the Braves organization after little over a month away, and he will likely continue to work out in Gwinnett to see if he can regain his prior form. Matzek’s brief stint with Triple-A Sacramento resulted in a 5.79 ERA over 4 2/3 innings worked.
The Braves have a history of reconciling with past players, and there is little danger in adding Matzek to the Triple-A team, especially since Atlanta is already obligated to pay the remainder of his $1.9 million salary for the 2024 season.
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