The Tampa Bay Rays are signing veteran left-handed pitcher Steven Matz to a two year deal per a report from Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Matz, 34, was originally drafted by the New York Mets in the 2nd round of the 2009 draft and reached the big leagues with that organization in 2015. Over the past decade, Matz has endured many lows but also enjoyed many highs, splitting his time between the starting rotation and bullpen. He finished 6th in Rookie of the Year voting in 2016 when he turned in a 2.5 fWAR season; Matz also produced a 2.7 fWAR season in 2021 with the Blue Jays and turned in a 2.0 fWAR season in 2023 as a member of the St Louis Cardinals.

During the 2025 campaign, Matz began the year with the Cardinals splitting time between the bullpen and rotation filling in when needed and was having a solid year. The Red Sox would acquire Matz at the trade deadline and the veteran hurler was decent down the stretch for Boston. Overall in 2025, Matz compiled a 3.05 ERA | 3.46 FIP with a 19.1 K% & 3.6 BB% across 76.2 IP over 53 appearances (two starts).

The details of the agreement have not been announced, only that it is a two year deal.

The Rays 40-man roster is currently full so a corresponding move will need to be made in order to make the signing official.