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The Baltimore Orioles announced Tuesday that former pitcher Brian Matusz died at the age of 37.
Matusz, who spent nearly his entire MLB career with the organization, was honored by the Orioles through a heartfelt post on X:
Baltimore Orioles @Orioles
Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz.<br><br>A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched. He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he… <a href=”https://t.co/wNN3WkO8l4″>pic.twitter.com/wNN3WkO8l4</a>
His cause of death was not announced.
The Grand Junction, Colorado, native played at least part of eight MLB seasons for the Orioles and appeared in one game for the Chicago Cubs during his career, which stretched from 2009 through 2016.
After starring collegiately at the University of San Diego, and earning the 2008 West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year Award, Matusz was selected No. 4 overall by the O’s in the 2008 MLB draft.
Matusz pitched in only 26 minor league games between 2008 and 2009 before getting called up to the big leagues and joining Baltimore’s starting rotation.
He was primarily a starter over his first three MLB seasons, including 2010 when he started a career-high 32 games and went 10-12 with a 4.30 ERA. However, Matusz was moved to the bullpen during the 2012 season, which turned out to be his calling.
After posting a 22-33 record, ERA of 5.36, WHIP of 1.52 and strikeout rate of 7.3 per nine innings over his first four seasons, Matusz improved significantly when he made a full-time move to the bullpen.
From 2013 to 2015, Matusz went 5-8 with a 3.32 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a strikeout rate of 9.4 K’s per nine.
Matusz was a hugely important lefty reliever for the Orioles during that time, including 2014 when Baltimore reached the American League Championship Series.
While he posted a career-best 2.94 ERA over 58 appearances in 2015, Matusz struggled to a 12.00 ERA in seven games for the Orioles early in the 2016 campaign, prompting them to trade him to the Atlanta Braves.
He was later designated for assignment and pitched in one game for the Cubs that season, allowing six earned runs in three innings.
After that, Matusz spent time pitching in the minor leagues, as well as in Mexico and for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, with whom he won a championship.
