It’s a new chapter for Tyler Matzek and maybe a final shot. The St. Louis Cardinals have signed the 34-year-old left-hander to a minor league deal, assigning him to Triple-A Memphis as a non-roster bullpen depth piece.
It’s a low-risk move by the Cards but one that carries a dash of upside if Matzek can tap back into the electric stuff that once made him a postseason hero in Atlanta.
A Rollercoaster Road Back
Matzek’s journey since his 2021 playoff dominance has been rocky. After a strong 2020–2022 stretch with the Braves—highlighted by a 2.92 ERA in 135 2/3 innings, 33 holds, and one unforgettable NLCS hero turn—his career hit the skids.
First came Tommy John surgery in October 2022, which cost him all of 2023. Then came an up-and-down 2024 and early 2025 stint bouncing between clubs, trying to reclaim a foothold in the majors.
He started this season with the Yankees on a minor league deal and got the call-up in April but only managed 6 1/3 innings across seven appearances. The results were uninspiring: three earned runs, 11 hits, five walks, seven strikeouts, and a DFA by mid-May. He cleared waivers, hit free agency, and now lands in St. Louis, hoping to reignite the flame.
Why This Makes Sense for the Cardinals
The Cards’ bullpen already has three left-handers—Steven Matz, JoJo Romero, and John King—but every team knows pitching depth is fleeting. With injuries always looming and performance often unpredictable, Matzek provides a no-risk, potential-reward option.
If he finds some of that pre-surgery velocity and sharpness, he could force his way into the conversation for a midseason call-up.
What’s Left in the Tank?
That’s the big question. Matzek has thrown just 16 1/3 major league innings since the end of 2022, and the command issues that plagued him early in his career have crept back in. But the strikeout ability is still there in flashes, and he has experience in every bullpen role, from long relief to high leverage.
The Cardinals don’t need Matzek to be the 2021 version. They just need someone who can give them innings, especially from the left side, with upside built in. And for Matzek, this might be one of the last open doors to prove there’s still something in the tank.
Matzek Finds a New Home
For now, Tyler Matzek is just another arm in Triple-A. But with his pedigree, his comeback mentality, and the ever-fragile nature of bullpen health, don’t be surprised if he finds his way back to a big-league mound before the season’s over. If he does, the Cardinals might just have made one of those under-the-radar moves that quietly pays off.
