MODESTO, CALIF. — Tyler Matzek has been promoted from High-A Modesto to Double-A Hartford. He will join the team in New Hampshire on Friday.

In 25 appearances and 21 innings, Matzek has a 4.71 ERA and has struck out 28 while walking 19.

“It feels good to be rewarded for my hard work,” Matzek told Purple Row on Thursday. “It's exciting to go and try to help those guys win.”

Matzek says that the Rockies are happy with how he’s progressed in the season.

Colorado’s 2009 first-round draft pick, who found success during a brief stint in the majors before anxiety problems derailed his career for a second time, credits pitching coach Brandon Emanuel. “[He’s] done a great job of helping me realize what I'm doing right, when I'm good, and what I'm doing wrong, when I'm bad,” Matzek explained. “He's been great for me.”

The pitching staff in Modesto has been supportive, according to Matzek.

“The guys, all the pitchers, have really helped me emotionally,” he said. “They've got the right mindset and they're always helping me out with anything I need. They're a bunch of good guys.”

Matzek underwent treatment for anxiety in spring training. He says it’s not something fun to come back from.

“It's been a tough road,” Matzek recollected. “I'm starting to figure it out, starting to get it all under control. Now I'm just trying to put a good physical pitching motion together with the right mindset. When those things mesh together, I feel good.”

He says his time in Modesto has helped him learn what it takes to have his anxiety under control and have his physical stuff in line.

“Now it's about going out there and competing,” Matzek added. “It's a freeing feeling to know you can just go out there and compete.”