Yankees Respond to Bullpen Strain with Surprise Roster Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 3:17 PM ET

The Yankees added a new left-handed option to their bullpen Tuesday, signing veteran reliever Tyler Matzek to a major league contract and selecting him to the active roster ahead of their game in Cleveland.

To clear a roster spot, right-hander Yoendrys Gómez was designated for assignment.

Matzek, 34, last pitched a full season in the majors with the Braves in 2022 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. From 2020 to 2022, he was a critical piece of Atlanta’s bullpen, posting a 2.92 ERA over 135 appearances. His biggest moments came in the 2021 postseason, when he struck out 24 batters in just 15.2 innings while helping Atlanta win the World Series.

The left-hander signed a minor league deal with the Yankees this offseason with an invite to spring training. He impressed Yankees manager Aaron Boone this spring before suffering an oblique strain.

He made five rehab appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and consistently hit the mid-90s with his fastball.

He now joins a Yankees bullpen that has carried a heavy workload through the season’s first month, especially with Jonathan Loaisiga still rehabbing from last year’s Tommy John. Matzek gives Boone a trusted late-inning arm with postseason pedigree and a different look against left-handed hitters.

Gómez, 25, allowed one run over three innings of relief in Monday’s loss to the Guardians. He’s appeared in 12 games since debuting in 2023 and has flashed a live arm, but has struggled with consistency.

Will Warren, whose last start has taxed the bullpen, is scheduled to start Tuesday night as the Yankees look to even their series in Cleveland.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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