Braves relief pitcher Tyler Matzek is back at Truist Park, signaling a potential boost to the team’s pitching depth as they seek to match the Los Angeles Dodgers’ offseason acquisitions. While the addition of Chris Sale may not entirely stabilize the pitching staff, notable players like Sonny Gray have chosen to sign with other teams in free agency, leaving some uncertainty.
However, there is reason for optimism with Matzek’s return to the bullpen after overcoming back and elbow issues in 2022 and recovering from Tommy John surgery last season. Matzek expressed confidence in his progress, stating that he feels excellent and is pitching in spring training without any restrictions. Barring setbacks, the former first-round draft pick should be ready for the Braves’ Opening Day roster.
This positive development is likely to energize the Atlanta fan base, which has experienced disappointment with early postseason exits in recent years. While Matzek alone may not be able to change the team’s postseason fortunes, his impactful performance in previous playoff appearances, notably during the 2020 and 2021 World Series title run, has solidified his place in Braves history with an impressive 1.48 ERA and 38 strikeouts across 20 postseason outings.
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