TAMPA — Tyler Matzek is again on the mound after an indirect pressure surfaced earlier this month.
The left-handed reliever threw a bullpen on Monday and plans on throwing one other on Thursday. Matzek isn’t certain what number of extra facet classes he’ll want earlier than dealing with dwell hitters, however he known as himself “asymptomatic.”
“I think we’re going to take our time with the progress,” Matzek stated. “It’s moving quick in the sense that I’m getting on the mound earlier compared to most obliques. But we don’t want to push it.”
A non-roster invitee and adorned postseason pitcher with the Braves, Matzek had been impressing the Yankees this spring after Tommy John surgical procedure derailed his 2023 and 2024 campaigns. He regarded like a shoo-in for one of many Bombers’ bullpen spots after incomes repeated reward from Aaron Boone, however the 34-year-old isn’t anticipated to be prepared for Opening Day.
“You feel like we got something there,” the supervisor stated after Matzek logged a scoreless inning in his spring debut on Feb. 25. The supervisor added that Matzek may “absolutely factor in” this season.
“It’s a great thing to hear,” Matzek stated of Boone’s compliments. “When you have your manager backing you like that, it just makes you want to go out there and do even better.”
Even together with his damage, he stated that his first decide out continues to be one thing to think about, although he’d favor to stick with the Yankees.
“I think that when I’m healthy, I’m a very productive part of this team and would like to be on this team,” Matzek stated. “If it was the only one, I’d consider it more, but I know that I have a few lined up early in the year, so I’d like to try being a Yankee first. If that, for some reason, doesn’t work out, I’ve got some other backup plans.”
A World Collection champion with Atlanta in 2021, Matzek owns a 1.48 ERA over 20 postseason contests. Regardless of battling the yips early in his profession, he’s pitched in 168 massive league video games, recording a 3.72 ERA. He had a 2.92 ERA over 132 video games with the Braves from 2020-2022.
Leiter Jr. Prepared
Mark Leiter, Jr. has been coping with a minor again problem, however the reliever advised the YES Community’s Jack Curry that he threw an 18-pitch dwell batting follow session on Wednesday.
“If the season started tomorrow, I’d be ready,” Leiter stated.
Leiter hasn’t pitched in an exhibition sport since March 6. The Yankees are hoping he could be a massive a part of their bullpen this season, although he struggled after being acquired from the Cubs final summer time.
The righty had a 4.98 ERA over 21 video games after the commerce, although he added a 1.69 ERA over six postseason appearances.
