The Atlanta Braves get Two Postseason Heroes Back
The Atlanta Braves announced that both Eddie Rosario and Tyler Matzek have been returned from their rehab assignments ahead of the Cardinals series.
Big news for the Atlanta Braves as they get both Eddie Rosario and Tyler Matzek back from the injured list. Both guys played big roles in the World Series run but have missed significant time in 2022 due to various injuries.
The #Braves today returned OF Eddie Rosario and LHP Tyler Matzek from their rehabilitation assignments and reinstated them from the injured list.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 4, 2022
It is nice to have both back in Atlanta. To make room, the Braves optioned Mike Ford to Gwinnett and designated Silvino Bracho for Assignment.
The NLCS MVP returns
Rosario got off to a horrific start in 2022, hitting .068/.163/.091 with just 4 runs, a .132 wOBA, and -24 wRC+. It was a dreadful start and fans were wondering what was wrong.
We found out that Rosario had a hole in his retina that attributed to his poor performance. After getting surgery to repair the issue, hopefully Rosario can get back to the guy who carried the Braves in the NLCS.
It would be nice to get back that level of player, but if the Braves can just get back a 110-115 wRC+ level hitter, it will lengthen the lineup. If he just hits for his career line of .272/.307/.468 with a .326 wOBA and 103 wRC+, that will make for a nice addition to the bottom of the lineup.
This has the potential to be one of the deepest lineups in Braves franchise history if everyone starts clicking.
The Bullpen gets Reinforcements
Tyler Matzek also makes his return to the Braves “arm barn.” The 2021 postseason icon got off to a sluggish start in 2022.
In 10 innings, Matzek had a 5.06 ERA, 5.41 xERA, 5.55 FIP, 6.29 xFIP, 5.53 SIERA, and 1.41 WHIP. His strikeout rate had dropped from 29.2% to 21.3% and his walk rate climbed from 14.0% to 19.1%.
There were some velocity concerns as well, as his average fastball velocity was 94.7 mph compared to 96.0 in 2021. Most believed this was due to the effects of a heavy workload during the World Series run. Which is why he hit the shelf with shoulder inflammation.
Getting Matzek back adds another weapon to an already impressive Braves bullpen. Once they get Kenley Jansen back, Brian Snitker will have AJ Minter, Will Smith, Collin McHugh, Dylan Lee, Jesse Chavez, and Matzek available for any time before the ninth inning. The possibility to deploy a big time arm anytime will be a weapon for the team.
Braves Keep Rolling
Hopefully, both men jump back into their roles with the Braves and help continue this impressive stretch the team has been on. The Braves have narrowed the gap in the NL East and have the Mets in their sights.
They also have given themselves some breathing room in the Wild Card race for now. They need to keep winning as an important series with the Cardinals is on the schedule for this week.
Getting back both Rosario and Matzek improves this team on paper. We need it to translate to production on the field. It could be like making a trade for two impact guys without actually making a trade.