Steven Matz Returns to Postseason After 10-Year Wait

BRONX, NY — Former New York Mets pitcher Steven Matz returned to the postseason on October 1, 2025, after a 10-year absence. The Long Island native, now a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, took the mound during the sixth inning of Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

In his first postseason appearance since Game 4 of the 2015 World Series, Matz pitched one inning, keeping the Yankees scoreless while allowing two hits and striking out one batter. The Red Sox were trailing 3-2 at the time of his appearance.

Matz’s last postseason outing was during his rookie season with the Mets, where he held the Kansas City Royals to two runs over five innings. In total, he made three appearances during the Mets’ journey to the World Series, posting a 3.68 ERA.

“It’s weird. Time flies,” Matz told amNewYork before Game 3 of the series. “I don’t feel that old. But it was really cool, especially to do it back in New York.”

That 2015 season was a promising start for Matz, who shone with a 2.27 ERA in six regular-season starts. However, injuries hampered his career, including elbow surgery in 2017, which affected his performance in subsequent seasons. His ERA ballooned to 4.83 over his final four seasons with the Mets, leading to demotions and further surgeries.

Matz was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays before the 2021 season, and he later joined the St. Louis Cardinals. He found success with the Red Sox, appearing solely as a reliever. Before his postseason return, he had a 2.08 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 21.2 innings.

<p“They have a really good support staff,” Matz said of the Red Sox. “They kind of let me be myself and complement their things here and there.”

Reflecting on his long journey back to the postseason, Matz said, “Sometimes you feel like you’re just hanging on by a thread. This game’s so hard, and the ups and downs, and to be here 10 years later, it’s pretty awesome.”