John Mozeliak may have just worked some magic to bolster the St. Louis Cardinals’ bullpen, bringing in a recent World Series standout to strengthen the group.

Although the Cardinals’ relievers have shown improvement after a rough beginning to the season, it was evident the team needed more depth to maintain strong performance throughout the year — and they’ve just made their first move to address that need.

The Cardinals have signed former World Series star Tyler Matzek to be a part of their bullpen depth

Tyler Matzek, recently designated for assignment by the New York Yankees, has signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and will report to Triple-A Memphis. Matzek made seven appearances for the Yankees this season, posting a 4.26 ERA over 6.1 innings with seven strikeouts. However, New York chose to part ways with him.

Matzek joined the Yankees on a minor league deal this past offseason, bringing with him an impressive track record as a reliever, particularly during his time with the Atlanta Braves from 2020 to 2022. In that span, he recorded a 2.92 ERA across 132 games, averaging more than 10 strikeouts per nine innings. He played a key role in Atlanta’s 2021 World Series title run and has been dominant in the postseason, with a 1.48 ERA over 20 appearances.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of 2022, Matzek missed all of the 2023 season and has thrown just 10 major league innings in 2024. It’s understandable that regaining his prior form has taken time, and the Cardinals are taking a low-risk chance on him with this minor league deal.

As a left-handed reliever, Matzek brings valuable depth to a St. Louis bullpen that has lacked consistent performance from the left side. JoJo Romero has been inconsistent, and John King has struggled, leaving Steven Matz as the most dependable lefty—though he isn’t used solely in high-leverage roles. Adding Matzek gives the Cardinals another potential option.

While Matzek isn’t guaranteed to fill the role the Cardinals need, the signing is a worthwhile gamble. His fastball averaged 94.5 MPH with the Yankees this season—up slightly from last year and comparable to his velocity during his last healthy season, though still below the 96 MPH he averaged during his peak year.

Matzek primarily throws a four-seam fastball, supplemented by a slider and occasional sinker. His success has largely depended on the fastball, so its effectiveness will be key to his potential value in St. Louis.

For now, Matzek will look to prove himself in Memphis, with hopes of joining the big league club soon. Given a demanding stretch of 28 games in 29 days, the Cardinals could turn to him later this month. If he performs well, he could claim one of the team’s left-handed bullpen spots, possibly overtaking King. His progress at Triple-A will be closely watched.