TAMPA – Tyler Matzek had two major supporters in the Yankees clubhouse. Former Braves teammate Max Fried and former travel ball teammate and high school foe Jerrit Cole – helped sign a minor league contract with the team earlier this month.
But the veteran left-handed reliever isn't just here in favor of a friend. Matzek has a real chance to create a strong spring team, and early returns are promising.
The Yankees have been intrigued by what they've seen in Matzek, which has been removed for more than two years since undergoing Tommy John's surgery in October 2022. Over 132 appearances.
The surgery cost all for 2023 and the 34-year-old returned to start on time with the Braves in 2024, but he returned to the list injured in elbow inflammation in 11 games. i'm back. He made nine appearances for Triple-A before the season ended.
