The 34-year-old Matzek, who won a World Series with the Braves in 2021, looked sharp early in camp to get the attention of the Yankees.
He is more than two years removed from Tommy John surgery, and while he got back to the big leagues last season, he did not pitch like himself and also dealt with elbow inflammation.
But Matzek’s fastball ticked up this spring, more in line with the velocity he had before elbow surgery, and now he will be another lefty weapon for manager Aaron Boone to use out of the bullpen.
![The Yankees called up Tyler Matzek on Tuesday.]()
The Yankees called up Tyler Matzek on Tuesday.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“I feel like we’re getting another really good pitcher to add to the mix back there,” Boone said. “I was pretty excited about him right away in spring training from what I was seeing stuff-wise. Then had the injury that set him back a couple weeks. But he’s ramped back up, throwing the ball well, there’s life to the fastball, feel like he’s looked good in his lives and minor league outings. So feel like he’s ready to be someone that can really factor in for us.”
Asked how close he feels to being the pitcher he was with the Braves (a 2.92 ERA in 132 games from 2020-22), Matzek said “that guy is in the past.”
“That guy’s pre-surgery,” he said. “But I’m feeling really good for right now. I feel as good as I’ve felt since the surgery. I don’t want to put how close I am to that guy or whatever, I’m just feeling really good and I’m really pleased with where I’m at right now.”
The Yankees now have three lefty relievers in Matzek, Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough.
The veteran Yarbrough offers length and has looked solid since the Yankees signed him to a major league deal a few days before Opening Day.
As for his conversation with the affable Gómez, Boone said it was difficult news to deliver for the pitcher who signed with the organization out of Venezuela in 2017.
“Just such a great kid,” Boone said. “Hopefully it’s just a bump in the road in his career. Whether that’s making it through and being back with us or getting an opportunity with someone else, that’s a guy that’s really easy to pull for.”
After missing back-to-back games with a left elbow contusion from getting hit there with a slider on Saturday, Ben Rice returned to the lineup Tuesday and led off with a home run — his sixth of the season — on the first pitch he saw.
“He’s on a tear,” Will Warren said. “I definitely wouldn’t throw anything in the zone if I was the other team.”
DJ LeMahieu (calf strain) began a rehab assignment on Tuesday with Double-A Somerset, playing five innings at second base and going 3-for-3 with a home run and a double.
“Physically I felt really good today and tested it running, defense, everything, getting out of the box, so that was good,” LeMahieu told reporters. “Definitely felt like I checked a lot of boxes today.”
The 36-year-old infielder, who has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, started a 20-day clock before the Yankees would have to activate him if he does not suffer any setbacks.
He is expected to play again Thursday before going back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday.
