Manager Brian Snitker said Wednesday that Matzek (shoulder) is on the cusp of beginning a rehab assignment, Maria Torres of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matzek landed on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation in mid-May and was shut down for several weeks prior to beginning a throwing program in early June. The southpaw is slated to throw a side session in the coming days and will likely be cleared to join a minor-league affiliate if he feels good afterward.

Matzek (shoulder) was cleared to begin a long toss routine Friday, Gabriel Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw has been sidelined for a month so far due to shoulder inflammation, but he's ready to take the next step in his recovery. Matzek doesn't appear to be particularly close to rejoining the Atlanta bullpen, and he might need a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the IL.

Matzek (shoulder inflammation) has started playing catch, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

He was shut down from throwing a couple weeks ago, and it seems like he is starting to ramp back up. Matzek is without a timetable to return.

Matzek has no structural damage in his left shoulder and has been shut down from throwing for a couple weeks before being re-evaluated, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander underwent an MRI after landing on the injured list with shoulder inflammation Tuesday, and he's avoided a more serious injury. Matzek figures to be sidelined until at least mid-June, as he'll need some time to build his arm back up after the shutdown.

Atlanta placed Matzek on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left shoulder inflammation, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Just as manager Brian Snitker hinted would be the case following Monday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers, Matzek will hit the shelf while he contends with a shoulder issue that has dated back to his most recent relief appearance a week ago. Matzek is scheduled to leave the team's ongoing road trip to return to Atlanta for an MRI, which should verify whether or not he's dealing with something more significant than inflammation. Snitker mentioned that Spencer Strider could take on a more prominent role in the late-inning bridge to closer Kenley Jansen while Matzek is out of commission.

Matzek was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a shoulder injury, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear as to when the reliever suffered the injury, as he last pitched May 10 against Boston, tossing a scoreless frame. The severity of his injury remains unknown at this time, but he's set to undergo an MRI on Tuesday, per Toscano. Tucker Davidson will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move and is scheduled to start Tuesday's matchup.

Matzek collected his third hold of the season Friday, walking one and striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings in a win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old southpaw has looked good to begin the campaign as he fills a setup spot in front of closer Kenley Jansen. Over five appearances and 5.1 innings, Matzek has a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and 5:2 K:BB.

Matzek and Atlanta agreed Tuesday on a one-year, $1.4 million deal to avoid arbitration.

EDGE Analysis

A first-round pick of the Rockies in 2009, Matzek's career appeared to be on life support over the latter half of the last decade while he dealt with significant command woes in the minors. Since catching on with Atlanta late in 2019, however, Matzek has staged an impressive comeback while emerging as a key reliever for the big club. He'll be rewarded with a $1.4 million deal for 2022 after he finished last season with 24 holds to go with a 2.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 77:37 K:BB across 63 innings.

Matzek picked up the win in Game 6 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Saturday, striking out four batters across a pair of scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Atlanta starter Ian Anderson was ineligible for the win after throwing just four innings, so Matzek received the well-deserved honor. The lefty entered with none out in the top of the seventh and the tying run on second base but proceeded to strike out Albert Pujols, Steven Souza and Mookie Betts. He remained in the game for the eighth inning and retired the side. It's been a remarkable postseason for the veteran, who appeared in five of the six NLCS games against the Dodgers after appearing in all four NLDS games against the Brewers. He's allowed just two runs on four hits in 10.1 innings over that run, striking out 17 while walking four.

Matzek walked two batters in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday during a loss to the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw is having trouble finding the plate right now, issuing five free passes over his last two appearances, but none of the baserunners came around to score. Matzek has a 2.08 ERA but a 1.50 WHIP over his last 10 games, posting an 8:8 K:BB through 8.2 innings during that stretch, and his luck may not hold much longer if he doesn't find a little more control.