DeSalvo graduated from Union Area High School in
New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1998, and
Marietta College in
Marietta, Ohio, with a bachelor's degree in environmental science, in 2003. He holds the
NCAA Division III record for career
wins (53),
strikeouts in a season (205), and strikeouts in a career (603.) His records for career wins and career strikeouts are NCAA All-Division records. DeSalvo was inducted into the
National College Baseball Hall of Fame in July 2016, becoming the first Division III pitcher inducted. DeSalvo was an All-League player for the
Delaware Cows of the
Great Lakes League, He also played for the
Danbury Westerners of the
New England Collegiate Baseball League.
New York Yankees DeSalvo was signed as an undrafted
free agent by the
New York Yankees in . In , he posted a 9–5 record and a 3.02
earned run average (ERA) in 24 starts with the
Trenton Thunder. In , his control deserted him, as he averaged 15 and 7.9
walks per 9 innings in, respectively, 78 innings at Trenton and innings at Triple-A
Columbus Clippers. In the minor leagues from 2003 to 2006, he averaged 7 hits, 5 walks, and 8 strikeouts per 9 innings. Matt DeSalvo played 4 major league games for the New York Yankees, winning one game. Shortly afterward he was sent back to the minors to be replaced by Roger Clemens. DeSalvo made his major league debut for the Yankees on May 7, 2007, against the Seattle Mariners. He pitched 7 innings giving up 3 hits and 1 run, but received a no decision in the Yankees' 3–2 loss. On May 13, 2007, DeSalvo got his first MLB win against the Mariners. He went innings with 2 strikeouts, while only giving up 7 hits and 2
runs. On January 26, 2007, DeSalvo was
designated for assignment. He cleared waivers, and was sent outright to Triple-A
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on February 1. DeSalvo made his major league debut for the Yankees on May 7, 2007, against the Seattle Mariners. He pitched 7 innings giving up 3 hits and 1 run, but received a no decision in the Yankees' 3–2 loss. On May 13, 2007, DeSalvo got his first MLB win against the Mariners. He went innings with 2 strikeouts, while only giving up 7 hits and 2
runs.
Atlanta Braves On January 5, , he signed a minor league deal with the
Atlanta Braves. On August 15, he was called up from the
Richmond Braves to replace
Tom Glavine on the Braves roster, and was briefly used in the bullpen before being sent back down on August 23. DeSalvo was released on September 4 after refusing an outright assignment to the minors.
New York Mets On January 29, , he signed a minor league deal with the
New York Mets. He was released by the Mets on April 4.
Tampa Bay Rays On May 25, 2009, DeSalvo was signed to a minor league deal by the
Tampa Bay Rays. On August 12, 2009, DeSalvo was released by the
Tampa Bay Rays.
Florida Marlins On August 15, 2009, DeSalvo signed a minor league contract with the
Florida Marlins. On May 3, 2010, DeSalvo was released by the Florida Marlins.
York Revolution On August 15, 2010, he signed and was activated by the
York Revolution of the independent
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He started that same day against the Lancaster Barnstormers. He pitched 5 innings, striking out 7 and giving up 6 earned runs. He was the winning pitcher thanks to an 18 run outburst by the York team. On February 10, 2011, he signed a contract with the York Revolution. Despite being injured for much of the second half, he finished the season third in the Atlantic League in strikeouts with 108 and fourth in ERA at 3.89. He returned to pitch an inning in the final regular season game. He then pitched in both the divisional series win against Lancaster and the championship series win vs. Long Island. He was on the mound when the final out was recorded.
Lamigo Monkeys On December 13, 2011, DeSalvo signed with the
Lamigo Monkeys of the
Chinese Professional Baseball League.
York Revolution (second stint) On August 23, 2014, DeSalvo signed with the
York Revolution of the
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 1 start he threw 6 innings giving up 4 hits and 4 earned runs (6.00 ERA) with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts suffering the loss. He became a free agent following the season. On August 7, 2015, DeSalvo re-signed with the Revolution. He was released the following day. In 1 start he threw 5 innings giving up 5 hits 4 earned runs (7.20 ERA) with 3 walks and 6 strikeouts and also getting a win.
Steel City Slammin' Sammies In 2020, DeSalvo signed with the
Steel City Slammin' Sammies of the Independent
Washington League. In 5 starts 27 innings he struggled immensely going 2-0 with a 6.67 ERA with 20 strikeouts. ==Personal life==