Steven Matz

Fantasy News

• Rays' Steven Matz: Nabs first win in team debut

  Rotowire Mar 29, 2026

  Matz (1-0) notched the win Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out two. Matz hardly pitched well enough to deserve the win Sunday, but the Rays gave him plenty of run support. The veteran southpaw produced a respectable 10 whiffs on the day, and it's notable he was able to throw 81 pitches in his first start since April of last year. The expectation entering the season was that Matz would be on a pitch count initially, making his workload something to monitor in next week's scheduled outing in Minnesota versus the Twins.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Steven Matz: Competing for rotation spot

  Rotowire Mar 11, 2026

  Matz allowed one hit and one walk in four shutout innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He struck out three. Matz is now up to six scoreless frames covering two Grapefruit League outings. The 34-year-old left-hander is looking to open his first season with Tampa Bay as part of the starting rotation, which could occasionally give him streaming appeal in deep fantasy leagues for home starts at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field based on matchups. Last regular season, Matz posted a quality 3.05 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 59:11 K:BB over 76.2 innings between St. Louis and Boston.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Steven Matz: Will get another chance to start

  Rotowire Dec 17, 2025

  Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Tuesday that Matz will be given a chance to open the season in the rotation, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Neander said that Matz -- whose two-year, $15 million contract became official Tuesday -- has "a real desire" to be a starting pitcher again, and the "the investment was made with that in mind." All but two of Matz's 53 regular-season appearances in 2025 came out of the bullpen, but the 34-year-old has predominantly been a starter in his career. He posted a 3.05 ERA and 59:11 K:BB over 76.2 regular-season frames between the Cardinals and Red Sox this past season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Rays' Steven Matz: Latches on with Tampa Bay

  Rotowire Dec 8, 2025

  Matz agreed to a two-year contract with the Rays on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Matz will suit up for the sixth different team in his veteran career after coming to terms on what's believed to be a multi-year contract with Tampa Bay. The southpaw was used in a variety of scenarios during the 2025 campaign with Boston and St. Louis, which included him securing the first two saves of his big-league career along with five wins. He logged 76.2 innings across 53 appearances last season. It's unclear whether the Rays are planning to use Matz as a starter or reliever.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Steven Matz: Grabs save Thursday

  Rotowire Aug 28, 2025

  Matz worked around a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Orioles. With Aroldis Chapman having pitched twice in Boston's last three games, it was Matz who was called upon to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning. The southpaw would surrender a leadoff double to Dylan Carlson, though he'd be erased on a fielder's choice as Matz cruised to his second career big-league save. The 34-year-old Matz has been impressive out of the bullpen since joining the Red Sox at the trade deadline, allowing just one run on six hits through his first 11.1 innings.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Red Sox's Steven Matz: Moving to Boston

  Rotowire Jul 30, 2025

  The Red Sox acquired Matz from the Cardinals on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Blaze Jordan, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. After sending closer Ryan Helsley to the Mets earlier Wednesday, the Cardinals will continue unloading pieces from their bullpen by sending Matz to the Red Sox. Matz, 34, has been effective while making all but two of his 32 appearances in relief this season, logging a 3.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 55 innings. He's likely to work out of the bullpen for Boston initially, though the Red Sox could have him get gradually stretched back out for a starting role since injuries have tested the club's depth at the back end of the rotation.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Likely staying in bullpen for now

  Rotowire Jun 3, 2025

  The Cardinals are likely to use a spot starter at times in June but appear to be leaning toward keeping Matz in a traditional bullpen role, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. Matz operated in a hybrid role in April but was used exclusively in relief in May. While the Cardinals are likely to incorporate a spot starter during a stretch of 28 games in 29 days this month, Matz appears set to remain in the bullpen since he's no longer stretched out sufficiently to start. Instead, Michael McGreevy is the top candidate to draw a spot start or two with the big club.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Next start undetermined

  Rotowire May 3, 2025

  Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Friday that he plans for Matz to pitch out of the bullpen "at the moment," Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The Cardinals went to a six-man rotation during a stretch of the schedule that was light on off days. However, they are idle for every Thursday in May, allowing them to shift back to a five-man setup for the time being. It sounds like Matz could re-enter the rotation at any point, though, with Marmol saying of Matz's usage that the club can "pick and choose based on how things are going." Matz has pitched well in both roles this season, posting a 1.00 ERA and 11:0 K:BB over nine innings in two starts and a 1.80 ERA and 9:3 K:BB over 15 frames covering seven relief outings.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Sharp in no-decision

  Rotowire Apr 30, 2025

  Matz didn't factor into the decision in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Reds, allowing five hits over four scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter. The southpaw may not have been available for a full workload after working in relief Saturday, but Matz gave the Cards 73 pitches (55 strikes) in an impressive outing, including 26 called or swinging strikes. He's been brilliant in a swingman role to begin the season, posting a 1.50 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 20:3 K:BB through 24 innings. If St. Louis sticks with a six-man rotation into May, Matz would line up to make his next start at home early next week against the Pirates.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Drawing start Wednesday

  Rotowire Apr 28, 2025

  Matz will be the Cardinals' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Matz will be pitching on three days' rest after he recorded two outs in a relief appearance Saturday versus the Brewers. The southpaw will be making his second start of the season after the Cardinals recently moved to a modified six-man rotation. He threw 71 pitches over five innings in his other start back on April 16 and should be able to handle a similar pitch count Wednesday.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Permanent move to rotation possible

  Rotowire Apr 24, 2025

  Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Matz moving into the rotation on a more permanent basis "should be on the table," Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Matz has made one start and six relief appearances so far this season and excelled in both roles, posting a 1.86 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB over 19.1 innings. He will be available out of the bullpen for this weekend's series against the Brewers, but if he's not needed, he'll make a start next week in Cincinnati. Miles Mikolas' spot in the Cardinals' rotation would appear to be the most vulnerable, although he tossed six shutout frames his last time out. While Matz is pitching well enough to be considered for a regular place in the St. Louis rotation, it does not seem that move is imminent.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Next start coming in Cincy

  Rotowire Apr 23, 2025

  Matz isn't expected to make his second start of the season until next week's series in Cincinnati, when the Cardinals will shift back to a six-man rotation, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Matz had made his first five appearances of the season out of the bullpen before manager Oliver Marmol elected to expand the rotation to six men last week during a busy portion of the schedule. The southpaw was sharp in his first start April 16, claiming a win while limiting the Astros to one run on two hits and no walks over five innings. Despite Matz's strong outing, the Cardinals moved him back to the bullpen to begin the current week, with an off day Thursday allowing the team to temporarily condense the rotation to five men. Matz was called upon in relief in the Cardinals' 10-4 victory over Atlanta on Tuesday, when he recorded his second win of the season while tossing 2.2 scoreless innings. St. Louis will likely stay away from Matz for this weekend's series versus Milwaukee before reinserting him into the rotation early next week.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Sharp in first start

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2025

  Matz (1-0) earned the win Wednesday over the Astros, allowing one run on two hits and no walks over five innings. He struck out five. Matz allowed a run on a pair of hits in the first inning before settling in and blanking Houston over his final four frames, setting down the final 15 batters he faced. Matz, who made five appearances out of the bullpen before starting Wednesday's outing, now sports a 2.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB through his first 16.2 innings this year. Matz figures to see at least two more starts, with the Cardinals electing to utilize a six-man rotation for the next three weeks.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: In rotation at least three weeks

  Rotowire Apr 14, 2025

  The Cardinals are expected to use Matz as part of a six-man rotation for at least three weeks, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. The Cardinals are moving to a temporary six-man rotation because they have just one scheduled off day from April 11 to May 7. Matz will enter the rotation this week and appears in line to make at least four starts before the team re-evaluates its pitching plan. The left-hander has collected a 2.31 ERA and 6:2 K:BB over 11.2 innings covering five relief appearances this season.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Appears slated for April 17 start

  Rotowire Apr 13, 2025

  Matz appears to be lined up to enter the St. Louis rotation Thursday against the Mets at Citi Field. Earlier Sunday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that Matz was slated to start Wednesday's game against the Astros, but with Andre Pallante now being listed as the Cardinals' probable starter for that day, St. Louis looks set to wait until the series with the Mets to expand its rotation to six men. The Cardinals are likely electing to push Matz back an extra day after he tossed 2.1 innings of one-run ball in relief during Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Phillies. The left-hander has made five appearances out of the bullpen so far in 2025, surrendering four runs (three earned) on 11 hits and two walks while striking out six batters over 11.2 innings.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Remains on tap for April 16 start

  Rotowire Apr 12, 2025

  Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Friday that Matz remains on track to start April 16 against the Astros as part of a six-man rotation, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. Matz will be available out of the bullpen this weekend against the Phillies, although maybe not for multiple innings since he has a start looming Wednesday. It's not yet clear how long the Cardinals plan to use a six-man rotation, but it sounds like Matz will be in line to make multiple starts. The left-hander has pitched well out of the bullpen so far this season, permitting three runs (two earned) with a 5:1 K:BB over 9.1 frames. Matz's high pitch count among his four appearances is 53, and that came back on April 4. He's thrown 16 and 11 pitches over his last two appearances, respectively, so he'll likely have workload limitations versus Houston.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Opening season in bullpen

  Rotowire Mar 23, 2025

  Matz will work in long relief to begin the campaign, though he is expected to enter the rotation as a sixth starter April 16 against the Astros, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. Matz was a candidate to land a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but he'll instead come out of the bullpen until St. Louis shifts to a six-man unit. The southpaw had a strong spring, posting a 2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB over 19.2 innings, but he's had trouble staying healthy while working mostly as a starter during his 10-year big-league career.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Goes six strong innings

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2025

  Matz limited the Nationals to one run over six innings in Grapefruit League action Wednesday. The left-hander permitted just four hits and two walks while recording a pair of strikeouts and getting his pitch count up to 85. Matz has fanned only 11 batters over 17.2 frames this spring, but he's allowed just five runs and looks to have a firm grip on a rotation spot in St. Louis.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Likely to break camp in rotation

  Rotowire Mar 7, 2025

  The Cardinals are leaning toward putting Matz in their Opening Day rotation, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. Matz has yielded just one run with a 3:3 K:BB over five innings in his first two starts this spring. Michael McGreevy would seem to be Matz's biggest competition, but the signs for now point to the veteran lefty getting another chance to start. Injuries have limited Matz to fewer than 50 innings in two of his three seasons with St. Louis.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Cardinals' Steven Matz: Getting start for third spring game

  Rotowire Feb 21, 2025

  Matz is scheduled to start the Cardinals' third spring training game Monday versus the Mets, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Matz is coming off an unproductive 2024 season in which he turned in a 5.08 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 44.1 frames, with recurring back problems playing a part in his deflated innings count. The veteran lefty was deployed out of the bullpen for much of September, but with Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn reaching free agency this winter and the Cardinals not making any major offseason additions to the pitching staff, Matz should be in good position to open the season as the club's No. 5 starter. Matz is entering the final season of a four-year, $44 million contract and likely won't have much job security if he emerges from camp with a rotation spot. St. Louis has a pair of intriguing young pitching prospects in Quinn Mathews and Michael McGreevy waiting in the wings to step in if Matz falters or gets injured.

  ... See More ... See Less