Central STL News

Steven Matz, a left-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, has been traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Minor League first baseman Blaze Jordan. The deal was finalized late Wednesday ahead of Major League Baseball's trade deadline.

Matz, anticipating a move before Thursday’s deadline, opted not to travel with the Cardinals to San Diego and instead arranged his own commercial flight on Thursday to Boston.

This transaction follows another trade by the Cardinals earlier on Wednesday, when they sent two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets in return for three Minor League players. Chaim Bloom, who will take over as President of Baseball Operations for St. Louis in 2025 and previously ran baseball operations for Boston, was involved in selecting Blaze Jordan during the 2020 MLB Draft.

Matz is completing the final year of a four-year contract worth $44 million that he signed prior to the 2022 season. In 2025, he has contributed both as a reliever and spot starter, recording a 5-2 win-loss record with a 3.44 ERA over 32 appearances. He started twice this season, achieving an earned run average of 1.00 with 11 strikeouts across nine innings.

“I think ultimately, in my mind, I still would like to start some games in big leagues," Matz said. "That’s definitely a goal. I feel like I can still do that. I’m happy to do what they need me to do here in those roles. But I think knowing that I can do both now is definitely something, to be able to go back-to-backs and go multiple innings out of the bullpen ... but I think ultimately starting is really kind of where my heart is.”

A key factor behind Matz’s performance this season has been improved health after injuries limited him during previous years—including elbow and knee issues that kept him from pitching more than 15 games in 2022.

“His ability to stay healthy and then show what he’s capable of doing regardless of the role that he’s been placed in," Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. "He bounced back and forth. He’s done some spot starts and gone to the bullpen and thrown multiple [innings]. He’s been a one-inning guy, two-inning. He’s done everything we’ve asked, and he’s handled every bit of it extremely well.”

Matz had strong results early this season (posting a combined record of 3-1 with an ERA below 3 through May) before facing challenges midseason but recovering performance by July.

The trade adds depth at first base for St. Louis while giving Boston another experienced arm as both teams look ahead beyond this year's deadline.