Phillies claim local lefty Tim Mayza off waivers, add bullpen depth as rosters expand

Drew Smith
September 1, 2025
Phillies
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The Phillies added a familiar name to the bullpen picture on Sunday, claiming 33-year-old lefty Tim Mayza off waivers from the Pirates, per Alex Stumpf of MLB.com.

For Tim Mayza, it’s a homecoming of sorts. The Pennsburg native went to Upper Perkiomen High before pitching at Millersville University, eventually being drafted in the 12th round by Toronto in 2013.

He made his big-league debut in 2017 and has bounced around ever since, flashing at times as one of those “nasty lefties” every contender wants.

Tim Mayza Strikes out Brandon Nimmo with the pitch clock…lol

New Phillie Tim Mayza strikes out Brandon Nimmo using his aura pic.twitter.com/OeigqUCfv3
— Mike (@mhc_76) August 31, 2025

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His best year came in 2023 with the Blue Jays, when he posted a ridiculous 1.52 ERA across 69 appearances, allowing just nine earned runs all season while punching out 53.

That’s the kind of dominance that sticks in the back of your mind when a team like the Phillies takes a chance this late in the year.

Phillies Get Much Needed Bullpen Depth With Tim Mayza

The Phillies need left-handed bullpen depth. Right now, it’s basically Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks holding down that role.

That’s not going to cut it in October, especially if you run into lineups like the Dodgers, Padres, or even the Mets, who can stack dangerous lefty bats.

Mayza had been solid for Pittsburgh this season with a 2.89 ERA before a lat injury sidelined him. If he’s healthy, he brings another option for Rob Thomson in those big October matchups.

LHP Tim Mayza — who the Phillies claimed earlier on Sunday — will join the team tomorrow in Milwaukee.

‘25 w/ PIT: 0-0 | 2.89 ERA | 9.1 IP | 9 H | 3 R | 3 ER | 1 HR | 8 K | 1 BB | 1.071 WHIP

Former Millersville product from Allentown pic.twitter.com/km0HnisscI
— Mike Lipinski | @SportsTalkPHL (@themikelipinski) August 31, 2025

What to Expect

Mayza’s bread and butter has always been his sinker, a pitch he throws nearly 70% of the time. When it’s working, he gets ground balls and limits hard contact. When it’s not, things can get ugly fast.

As a low-cost, late-season addition, there’s not much downside here.

The Phillies are still in search of arms they can trust out of the pen when the lights get bright in October. Tim Mayza’s track record shows he can be that guy. Now it’s on him to prove it again in red pinstripes.