Red Sox pitcher Bryan Mata ‘feeling really good’ as he inches closer to possible big league promotion
It’s been a while since Bryan Mata has been feeling healthy.
The talented, hard-throwing pitcher is working towards his first big league promotion as his rehab assignment with the WooSox inches closer to coming to an end.
“I’m feeling really good. I’m (happy) with where I am physically right now, and I’m just going to keep doing my thing and keep getting better,” Mata said to WooSox reporter Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. “I’m going to keep doing the same thing I’ve been doing for the last couple of games: throwing my pitches in the strike zone, keep being aggressive, keep competing and controlling what I can control.”
Mata has dealt with injuries over the last three seasons, derailing his progress on the mound and a potential Major League call-up. The righty missed all of 2021 and a part of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. A lat injury ended his season in 2023, and heading into spring training this year, a hamstring and lat/shoulder soreness put him on the shelf through the first half of this season.
There’s finally some light at the end of the tunnel for Mata, who will need to be activated by the Red Sox by July 15, or he will need to be designated for assignment or traded.
The Venezuelan native has looked strong in his second rehab stint and has pitched to a 2.57 ERA in three games (two starts) with the WooSox.
“His arm looks like the Mata of old,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said, “which is nice to see.”
The Red Sox will have Mata continue to pitch in Worcester through the remainder of the week. The club will need to evaluate and ensure that Mata will be able to make an impact in the majors based on his performance and results in the minors. With the Red Sox needing additional arms in the bullpen, it’s likely Mata will get a chance in Boston, barring another setback.
“I just want to be able to help the team win, either here or with the high level with the big-league team. If I feel good, I just want to play. Even if I’m pitching one inning, two innings, six innings, I just want to compete and be there with my teammates,” Mata said. “It’s been a couple crazy years. It’s hard because nobody wants to be hurt or without being on the field, but I took time to (learn) more about myself and get strong in my mind in the right way.
“Like I said before, control what I can control. When I’m healthy, I know what I can do.”
