The Rays are close to a contract with free-agent left-hander Steven Matz , according to a report from the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. The team has not confirmed the report, which said the deal is pending a physical and may be for two years.

Matz’s first season as a primary reliever was by all accounts a success. The left-hander’s 3.05 ERA in 2025 was his lowest since his six-start debut season with the pennant-winning 2015 Mets (2.27), and it included a stellar stretch after a midseason trade from the Cardinals to the Red Sox. After posting a 3.44 ERA in 32 outings with St. Louis, Matz closed the regular season with a 2.08 ERA in 21 appearances for Boston.

Matz, who turns 35 next May, began a slow transition from starter to reliever after signing a four-year, $44 million deal with St

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