Atlanta Braves postseason star hits the IL, which could mean the end of an era

Tyler Matzek, an Atlanta Braves reliever, was an important part of the team’s 2021 World Series run, but his 2024 season has started off difficult. He’s allowed 11 earned runs in 10 innings, resulting in a 9.90 ERA. While his 5.94 FIP is far improved, he remains one of the worst relievers in MLB by this category.

Matzek missed the whole 2023 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and the Braves placed the reliever on the Injured List today due to left elbow irritation. The organization recalled Ray Kerr from Gwinnett to fill his spot on the roster.

The #Braves today recalled LHP Ray Kerr to Atlanta and placed LHP Tyler Matzek on the 15-day injured list, backdated to May 5, with left elbow inflammation.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 7, 2024

What Tyler Matzek going on the IL means for the Braves

Clearly, Matzek’s stuff did not fool batters. He was striking out and walking hitters at a faster rate than he was in 2022, but when batters made contact, which they did frequently, they crushed the ball.

The 33-year-old has a whiff rate in the second percentile and a barrel rate in the first percentile, indicating that he has been one of the worst pitchers this season in terms of allowing contact and strong hits at optimal launch angles.

The result has been three long balls against only 48 batters. This is tied for the most home runs he has allowed in a Braves uniform, as he allowed three in both 2021 and 2022, while facing over three times as many batters.

By placing Matzek on the injured list, the Braves hope that the time off will help the lefty’s elbow and allow the next man up, Ray Kerr, a chance to prove himself.

Kerr has struck out 37.3% of the batters he’s faced in Gwinnett this season, despite allowing five home runs in 14 innings. He’s got a 4.50 ERA.

What this IL stint means for Tyler Matzek

If Matzek is unable to regain his form after returning from the IL, we may see the end of an era for him in a Braves uniform.

In 2019, Jonny Venters began the season with the Braves but struggled through the first six games. On April 15, the team placed him on the injured list; he returned on May 10. He was given three more games and freed on May 18th.

This might be a similar path for Matzek, who may become a free agent at the end of the season. If Matzek does not have competitive stuff when he returns, the Braves may move on from him early to give relievers like Kerr an extended look or to target a reliever in a trade to strengthen the bullpen.

Of course, even if the Braves release Matzek in the future months, he will always be a Brave because of his great performance in the 2021 playoffs, which led to the Braves’ first championship since 1995.

Matzek hadn’t pitched since 2015, when he joined the Braves in 2020, after struggling with the yips for years. The Braves gave him an opportunity in 2020, and he quickly became an important member of the bullpen.

He was possibly the Night Shift’s strongest performer in the 2021 postseason. His 12.47% cWPA led all pitchers in the 2021 NLCS, thanks to one of the most gutsy performances you’ll ever witness in Game 6, when the lefty struck out three consecutive with runners on second and third base.

Mookie Betts, who was the final strikeout, claimed this year that the Braves reliever was tough to hit. If that Tyler Matzek can return, the Braves will be in good shape, but only time will tell.