Tampa Bay Rays sign former Blue Jays left-hander to two-year deal
Photo credit: https://www.sportsnet.ca
The left-hander is reportedly in agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays on a two-year contract. Financial terms have not been announced for the deal, which is still pending a physical. Tampa Bay will also need to make a corresponding move to free up on their 40-man roster.
Rays, LHP Steven Matz agree to multi-year deal, per multiple reports including
@MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman. (MLB x @CohnReznick)
Matz recently finished up a four year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, a contract which saw mixed results.
Matz’ biggest issue was staying healthy. He missed most of the 2022 season with a shoulder impingement and spent a good chunk of 2024 on the IL with a lower back injury. In 2025, he spent the majority of the year out the bullpen, perhaps in a bid to stay healthy and put less pressure on his body.
He showed promise for St. Louis in his role, pitching to a 3.44 ERA in 55 innings, although his strikeout rate was rather average. At the trade deadline, he was sent to the Boston Red Sox.Prior to his time with St. Louis, he starred for one year as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, where he had great success as a member of the rotation. Since then, he hasn’t been able to replicate the numbers he had in Toronto.
He has spent most of his career as a starter, but could fill a number of roles for Tampa Bay.
The Rays rotation has some question marks behind Drew Rasumssen and Ryan Pepiot. While they have both Shane Baz and Shane McClanahan as options, the latter will be on an innings limit, while the team has met with the Astros on the possibility of trading Baz.
Matz could fill a number of roles for Tampa Bay
The Rays – and Matz – have the next few months to figure that out.
Previously on Blue Jays Central