First-Place Rays Move Struggling Steven Matz to Bullpen

The Tampa Bay Rays are moving left-hander Steven Matz from the rotation to the bullpen after two poor starts in which his ERA has climbed to 5.48 this season, it was announced Saturday.

The 35-year-old Matz (4-3) allowed five runs and six hits, including two home runs, in 1 2/3 innings in Tuesday's 8-0 loss to the Detroit Tigers . Rays manager Kevin Cash said he pulled Matz after 53 pitches because the velocity on his fastball was down -- 92 mph from his average of 93.3 mph.

Said Matz afterward: "Got to try to work myself out of this rut and move forward."

Matz returned from the injured list on May 20 after dealing with elbow inflammation. In his last two starts, he's given up 11 earned runs in 4⅔ innings while striking out four and walking.

Cash has yet to name a rotation replacement for Matz.

Tampa Bay leads the American League East by 1½ games entering Saturday's play.

_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48985236/rays-moving-steven-matz-rotation-bullpen)._