The New York Yankees have made a surprising decision to designate Yoendrys Gomez for assignment, clearing the way for Tyler Matzek, a postseason hero for the Atlanta Braves, to join their bullpen. Matzek, who had been signed to a minor league deal in February, is now poised to make his Yankees debut.
The Yankees’ pitching staff has been a significant weakness this season, plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances. New York’s bullpen decisions have drawn criticism, especially following their reluctance to give Yerry De Los Santos a shot in the majors despite impressive spring training numbers. The club also optioned Brent Headrick, a strong strikeout reliever, to the minors, although both moves have been somewhat justified given the subsequent struggles of those players.
However, the decision to DFA Gomez is raising eyebrows. Once ranked as the Yankees’ No. 8 prospect from 2020 to 2021, Gomez has had a rough road, with injuries forcing him into a full-time bullpen role. This season, he made it to the big league roster as a long reliever, pitching 10 innings and posting a solid 2.70 ERA while limiting opponents to a .143 batting average. However, his nine walks over that span raised concerns, and with no remaining minor league options, the Yankees had little choice but to part ways with the former prospect.
Meanwhile, Tyler Matzek is set to make an impact with the Yankees after years of struggles and triumphs. Matzek’s career began with the Colorado Rockies in 2014, where he threw a complete game shutout in his debut season. Despite early promise, Matzek’s tenure in Colorado ended after a brief stint in 2015, and he didn’t return to the majors until 2020 when the Braves picked him up. He quickly became a key piece of Atlanta’s bullpen, posting solid ERAs of 2.79 and 2.57 in back-to-back seasons.
Matzek was instrumental during the Braves’ 2021 World Series run, with his dominant postseason performances, boasting an impressive 1.48 career postseason ERA. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued Matzek in recent years, including a major setback that sidelined him for the entire 2023 season. Despite a rough 2022, Matzek is now healthy and ready to contribute to the Yankees’ bullpen after a solid spring training, with a 3.18 ERA in 5.2 innings across Low-A and Triple-A.
As the Yankees continue to make adjustments to their struggling pitching staff, Matzek’s arrival could provide much-needed depth and veteran experience for the bullpen.
