Matzek has progressed to throwing 35-pitch bullpen sessions, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rockies have decided to go "a bullpen at a time" with the left-hander as he returns from an absence caused by his performance anxiety. It's unclear when he'll return to game action, but the progression in pitch count during each bullpen session is a good sign that he'll be decently conditioned when he is able to return. Matzek will likely slot into the rotation with Triple-A Albuquerque when he comes of the disabled list.

Matzek (personal) has been throwing bullpen sessions but still has no timetable for a return to game action, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matzek has been dealing with some performance anxiety issues, which kept him out of the majority of spring training. It's a good sign that he's been able to get some pitching in, though, which should make his transition back into game action a bit easier. He should slot into the rotation with Triple-A Albuquerque once he does return.

Matzek (personal) was placed on the 15-Day disabled list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Matzek dealt with similar performance anxiety issues this spring that plagued him last season, and the Rockies have decided to place him on the DL to begin the season because of it. He'll likely head to Triple-A Albuquerque once he's able to reduce his anxiety.

Matzek (personal) rejoined the Rockies on Thursday, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Bothered by performance anxiety since the middle of last season, Matzek spent the past month working with mental skills coach Rick Perea, a former NFL linebacker who also does work for the Denver Broncos. Injuries are taking a toll on the back end of the Rockies' rotation, yet Matzek still doesn't figure to be an option for the first few weeks of the season. He may stay behind at extended spring training, and eventually figures to pitch for Triple-A Albuquerque.

Matzek has been excused from camp for personal reasons, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Matzek has struggled in camp and is dealing with the same performance anxiety issues that plagued him last summer. It's unclear how long the left-hander will be away from the team, but his chances of cracking the Opening Day roster would seem to be reduced at this point.

Matzek is scheduled to pitch in the Rockies' spring opener Wednesday, the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rockies are considering Matzek to be part of the competition for a rotation spot this spring, but he may stick as a reliever if he fails to win a starting role. The young lefty took time away from baseball last summer to deal with performance anxiety issues, but he's impressed during bullpen sessions early on this spring.

The Rockies have sent Matzek home for a break after he struggled in his most recent appearance at short-season Boise last week, the team's official site reports. There is no scheduled return date for Matzek, whose control has prevented him from becoming a consistent contributor at the big league level for the pitching-starved Rockies. After a seven-walk start upon his demotion to Triple-A, the Rockies elected to send him back to extended spring training before a recent move to rookie ball.

Matzek will begin pitching for the Rockies' short-season club in Boise, Idaho when they begin their season Thursday, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Viewed as a potential breakout candidate on the Rockies' staff heading into the season, Matzek was banished to the minors after posting an ugly 15:19 K:BB ratio over his first five starts of the season. He subsequently walked seven batters over one inning in his first start at Triple-A Albuquerque, prompting the organization to pull him from competitive action and work with Mark Wiley, the Rockies' director of pitching operations. The organization seems confident that the time off might have helped Matzek correct any sort of flaw in his delivery, but he's still on an indefinite timetable to return to Triple-A, much less the big leagues. He'll probably first need to put together a couple of outings at the low-level affiliate before getting a chance to pitch against better competition.

Matzek was scratched from his start earlier this week at Triple-A Albuquerque, with the organization expressing a desire to have him work on his mechanics in a non-competitive environment, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports. Matzek has had control problems dating back to when he first entered the organization in 2009, but after appearing to rectify things during his time in the majors last season, the issues resurfaced again this spring. After the lefty walked 19 batters over his first 22 innings with the Rockies, he was optioned back to Albuquerque, where he promptly allowed seven free passes in his first outing while lasting just one inning. Manager Walt Weiss believes Matzek is experiencing a mental block more than anything, and is hopeful that with a little time off, the 24-year-old can bounce back and contribute with the big club again later in 2015.

Matzek lasted just one inning in his debut for Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. He walked seven batters and threw only 22 of his 54 pitches for strikes. It looks like the control problems that dogged Matzek during his rise through the Rockies' system have reemerged again, as he had already walked 19 batters in 22 innings for the big club prior to his demotion last weekend. The 24-year-old is lost right now, and it may take him several starts at Triple-A to get back on track. Those still holding Matzek in NL-only or very deep formats may want to abandon ship.