A SURPRISE BULLPEN ARM WE'RE KEEPING OUR EYES ON!

I love watching Spring Training for the surprise storylines, and we see them every year. After we re-signed Tim Hill I thought our bullpen was set and wasn't expecting any real surprises....but it looks like there may be one and the Yankees could be penciling in an unexpected name on the roster.

Now that Scott Effross is sidelined for a while (Read REMEMBER SCOTT EFFROSS? ME NEITHER), and we wait to see what happens from here it leaves another spot open, a spot that could be for Tyler Matzek. It would be a return to game action after having Tommy John surgery in October 2022 and then having his season derailed with elbow inflammation last season. It's been a long road back for Matzek.

So this is why I am excited about it. I like stories when guys work hard and get back to MLB action. It's early in Spring Training and a lot can happen between now and the end of March but he has looked good so far and he says he feels good. Aaron Boone is already singing his praises in such a short amount of time. Some folks will look at Matzek and think Brian Cashman went dumpster diving again and pulled him from the bottom of the dumpster, but this actually could be a genius move if it works out.

Before Matzek got hurt, he was lethal for the Braves. Over three seasons he pitched a 2.92 ERA when he wasn't injured. He also won a World Series with the Braves so he knows how to win and we can always use more of that experience. If the Yankees can keep him healthy, he could be a huge asset to this team. Considering he is a non-roster invitee to training camp the Yankees have absolutely nothing to lose by giving this guy a look. Obviously the talent level is there, he's been successful so there's no reason to believe he isn't capable. This is the very definition of a no risk and high reward scenario.... that could make Cashman look like a genius.

We all know pitchers get hurt all the time and as the old saying goes 'you can never have enough pitching.' This would be a HUGE win for the Yankees if Matzek is back to pre-injury form. Not to mention, if he makes the cut this gives the Yankees TWO left-handed relievers, which is always a huge bonus.

Best of luck to Matzek....I'm pulling for him.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj