Yankees Make Major Roster Move, Cut World Series Winning Reliever in Bullpen Shuffle

The New York Yankees have made a bullpen shuffle ahead of Friday's series opener against the New York Mets in MLB's Rivalry Weekend, bringing back a key reliever after missing over a year of action.

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Right-handed reliever Jonathan Loáisiga, who hasn't pitched since last April after tearing his UCL, was returned from his rehab assignment and reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

To make room for him on the active roster, left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek was designated for assignment.

Additionally, right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter was returned from his rehab assignment and reinstated from the 15-day injured list. He was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

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Matzek, 34, had appeared in seven games out of the Yankees's bullpen this season. The 2021 World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves allowed three earned runs in 6.1 innings of work, giving him a 4.26 ERA on the year.

Matzek was a dominant reliever with the Braves in his heyday from 2020-22. Across 135 regular-season appearances in those three seasons, Matzek had a 2.92 ERA with 156 strikeouts.

Matzek was a former first-round pick by the Colorado Rockies in 2011. He debuted in 2014 with Colorado, but after the 2015 season, he bounced around the minor leagues. His next MLB opportunity came with Atlanta in 2020, where he revitalized his career.

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Matzek will now head to waivers, where he should generate interest from another team. The left-handed reliever has a career 3.73 ERA across 291.2 innings at the MLB level.

As for Loáisiga, he's making his long-awaited return after undergoing surgery to repair a torn UCL last April. He pitched three scoreless appearances last season before going under the knife.

Across his last seven seasons in MLB from 2018-24 — all with the Yankees — the right-hander has accrued a 3.44 ERA over 219.2 innings pitched. He made six rehab appearances this year, sporting a 1.23 ERA over 7.1 innings.

Loáisiga will give the Yankees another trusted member of the bullpen. Entering Friday's series against the Mets, the Yankees have a bullpen ERA of 3.47, which ranks ninth in MLB. Their relievers have accounted for 155.2 innings this season, which ranks 15th in the league.

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