The Atlanta Braves put significant effort into strengthening their bullpen during the offseason.While much attention was drawn to their high-profile moves, including re-signing Joe Jiménez and Pierce Johnson to multi-year deals totaling $40.25M, along with acquiring lefty Aaron Bummer from the Chicago White Sox in a significant trade package, another, less heralded trade acquisition is now stepping into focus. Braves reliever Tyler Matzek, known for his heroics in the 2021 NLCS, has been sidelined due to elbow inflammation, leading the team to call up Ray Kerr from AAA Gwinnett as his replacement. (Johnson is currently on the injured list due to elbow inflammation.)
Kerr, 29, was brought in from the San Diego Padres as a central piece in an offseason trade deal, which also saw the Braves take on the salary of DH Matt Carpenter, later released by the team. In his nine appearances for Gwinnett this season, including one start, Kerr has recorded a 4.50 ERA, striking out twenty-two while walking five in fourteen innings. He has allowed five home runs and secured three saves.
Matzek’s recent struggles may be attributed to elbow soreness following his Tommy John surgery in late 2022. After averaging a fastball velocity of 96.0 mph in 2021, Matzek’s velocity has dipped to around 94 mph this season, accompanied by a decline in performance. He holds a 9.90 ERA in ten appearances, conceding eleven earned runs in ten innings, with three walks and ten strikeouts. Notably, all three homers surrendered by Matzek this season have come off fastballs, with opponents batting .414 with a .793 slug against this pitch.
The Braves have backdated Matzek’s injury to May 5th, making him eligible to return as early as May 20th.