Matzek leaves Rockies to handle “personal things”
Weiss doesn’t think absence of struggling pitcher will be long
scottsdale, ariz. » Rockies left- handed pitcher Tyler Matzek has left spring training to deal with personal issues tied to his ongoing struggles with performance anxiety.
“We are giving him a breather to take care of some personal things,” manager Walt Weiss said Monday.
Weiss said there is no timetable for Matzek’s return to camp, but added, “I don’t think it’s going to be all that long.” Matzek was excused from camp Sunday.
Matzek’s 2015 season ended abruptly because of control issues brought on by performance anxiety. He hoped to get a fresh start in spring training, but he struggled in the Rockies’ first Cactus League game March 2. He failed to record an out while giving up three runs and three hits, including a solo homer by Arizona’s Welington Castro. Most disconcerting, Matzek walked two and had a wild pitch.
“I felt like some of the pitches that got hit were decent,” Matzek said. “There were just not enough of them.”
Matzek, 25, finished the 2014 season strong, going 4- 2 with a 1.55 ERA in his final six starts. He began the 2015 season 2- 1 with a 4.09 ERA, but he gave up 19 walks and hit three batters in 22 innings before being sent to the minors.
Weiss said the Rockies still believe Matzek will contribute.
“That’s the plan — it’s how we look at it with everybody,” Weiss said. “We’ve got to look at whatever the issues are and attack them. It’s no different with Tyler.”