‘Incredible’: Braves reliever provides vital injury report before 2024 season

Braves fans will be excited for the Tyler Matzek update.

The Atlanta Braves’ offseason additions may have been insufficient in comparison to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spending spree. Adding Chris Sale does not make this pitching staff less of a wild card, as more dependable choices like Sonny Gray chose to sign elsewhere during free agency. One proven difference-maker has joined the club.

Or rather, rejoining it. Tyler Matzek, the October hero, is about to return to the bullpen after a long hiatus.

“I’m feeling really good, especially in the last like week and a half, two weeks,” the left-handed reliever told The Athletic’s David O’Brien. “Everything is clicking, and the timing is improving significantly. Everything feels great. I mean, it felt great when I turned it off in October (2023, after 12 months of therapy). And coming back has been just how it should be.

Matzek was limited in 2022 due to back and elbow difficulties, and he missed the entire season last year recovering from Tommy John surgery. Those difficulties are virtually entirely behind him. He is pitching without constraints during spring training. Assuming the previous first-round selection pick (Colorado Rockies) progresses without incident, he should be on the Braves’ Opening Day roster.