The Tampa Bay Rays and left-hander Steven Matz agreed to a two-year, $15-million contract, sources told Britt Ghiroli and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Matz authored a 3.05 ERA with 1.10 WHIP and 59 strikeouts over 76 2/3 innings between the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox in 2025, his first full season as a reliever. He finished in the 99th percentile for walk rate after surrendering just 11.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the 34-year-old was vocal about wanting to be a starter in 2026, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo.
Matz was a starter for the first 10 seasons of his career with the Cardinals, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Rays have added Matz and outfielder Cedric Mullins so far this offseason.
