John Mozeliak may have just made a savvy move to bolster the St. Louis Cardinals’ bullpen by adding a recent World Series standout to the mix.
Although the Cardinals’ relief pitching has improved since a rough start to the season, it’s clear the team still needed reinforcements to maintain consistency over the long haul. On Thursday, they took a low-risk gamble that could pay off.
The Cardinals have signed former World Series hero Tyler Matzek to a minor league deal, bringing in much-needed left-handed depth. Matzek, who was recently designated for assignment by the Yankees, will report to Triple-A Memphis. He made seven appearances for New York this season, posting a 4.26 ERA over 6.1 innings with seven strikeouts, but was ultimately deemed expendable by the club.
Originally signed by the Yankees this offseason, Matzek is best known for his strong three-year stretch with the Atlanta Braves from 2020 to 2022, where he posted a 2.92 ERA across 132 games, striking out more than 10 batters per nine innings. He played a pivotal role in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series run, and holds a stellar 1.48 ERA in 20 postseason appearances.
Matzek underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2022 season, which sidelined him for all of 2023. He’s thrown just 10 major league innings since his return in 2024, so it’s understandable that he’s still finding his rhythm. For the Cardinals, signing him to a minor league deal presents minimal risk with potential upside.
St. Louis currently lacks reliable left-handed options in the bullpen. JoJo Romero has been inconsistent, John King has struggled, and Steven Matz, while effective, isn’t always used in late-inning spots. Matzek could give the team another valuable lefty arm if he regains his form.
While there’s no guarantee Matzek will become a key bullpen piece, this is a worthwhile flier for the Cardinals. His fastball averaged 94.5 MPH with the Yankees this year—slightly up from his return last season and comparable to his pre-injury velocity, though still a bit short of the 96 MPH he averaged during his peak.
Matzek primarily relies on a four-seam fastball, complemented by a slider and occasional sinker. His success has largely hinged on the effectiveness of his fastball, so its continued improvement will be crucial to any future success.
For now, Matzek heads to Memphis with hopes of earning a call-up soon. With a grueling stretch of 28 games in 29 days ahead for St. Louis, he may get his chance later this month. If he performs, he could leapfrog King and carve out a role in the big league bullpen. We’ll be keeping an eye on his progress.