WORCESTER — Red Sox prospect Bryan Mata fired an eight-pitch perfect eighth inning and reached 96.5 mph with his heater in Triple-A Worcester’s 12-0 win over Syracuse on Sunday.
It was a continuation of spring training when he remained in big league camp competing for an Opening Day roster until the final day. During the final weekend of Grapefruit League play, manager Alex Cora said, “He’s throwing the (expletive) out of the ball.” Mata ended up being assigned to Worcester to start the season.
“It’s definitely good to hear something like that — good to hear the big league coach say that,” Mata said through translator/defensive coach Iggy Suarez on Friday at Polar Park. “Definitely a motivator. I think what he wants me to concentrate on is staying healthy and putting the work in every day.”
Will Mata finally break through and make his MLB debut this year?
It’s a question that has been asked many times in recent years about the former Red Sox’ No. 1 pitching prospect. Mata told MassLive during spring training 2020 (when he was the No. 1 pitcher in the system), “My goal is to obviously pitch in the major leagues this year.”
But Mata still is waiting for his opportunity because several injuries — including a torn ulnar collateral ligament that required Tommy John surgery in 2021 — have derailed his career.
He had a chance to make the 2024 Opening Day roster simply because he was out of minor league options for the first time last season. But he began the year on the IL with a right hamstring strain, then spent the entire season on the IL with multiple different injuries.
Boston designated for assignment and non-tendered last November before signing him to a minor league deal. He was on Boston’s 40-man roster for four years (Nov. 20, 2020 to Nov. 19, 2024) without making it to the big leagues.
Mata — despite no longer being on the 40-man roster — feels close to the majors after a spring training that Cora said put him “back on the map.” He spent this spring in camp as a non-roster invitee.
“I definitely feel like I am close,” Mata said. “But I’m reminding myself to try to stay present in the moment knowing I’m here and get the work in now. I feel healthy. Knowing in the back of my mind that I am pretty close to my dream.”
Cora said was impressed with Mata’s fastball (up to 98-99 mph), changeup and slider during camp.
“He’s throwing strikes,“ Cora said March 22. ”He’s healthy, which is the most important thing.”
Mata said he didn’t really change the way he trained this past offseason but he stayed in Boston longer after the season ended to rehab. He also pitched in 15 games in the Venezuelan Winter League for Magallanes, posting a 2.87 ERA (15 ⅔ innings, five earned runs).
“Played a little bit in Venezuela and kind of kept that same routine,” Mata said. “But I think more just kind of staying and giving that time to rehab a little bit more and … feeling strong now.”
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