The Atlanta Braves welcomed back relief pitcher Tyler Matzek on Tuesday night as he took the mound for the first time since May 10, tossing a scoreless inning including one of the Braves' top defensive plays of the year.
Matzek worked a scoreless 8th inning, the only blemish being a walk to Conner Capel. But the outing wasn't with some concern. Matzek threw 22 pitches, 20 of which were fastballs, and none of those topped 95 mph.
Despite the lower fastball velocity, 92.9 The Game Atlanta Braves Insider Grant McAuley isn't overly worried after Matzek's successful return.
"I don't blame a pitcher that's just spent six weeks on the IL not coming out and completely airing it out," says McAuley. "Concern, on a scale of 1-10, I'm like a 4, but for a first start back, a scoreless inning, I can't be too upset about what I saw yesterday, but I would like to see that velocity pick up."
Matzek routinely threw fastball's at a higher velocity last season, including three straight at 97, 97, and 98 mph while striking out Mookie Betts in the 7th inning of the Braves NLCS-clinching victory.
To hear all of Grant McAuley's comments, click here.