Brian Matusz, who was the Orioles’ first-round draft choice in 2008 and played for the team from 2009-2016, has died at 37, according to a statement by the team. The Orioles didn’t provide further details.
Matusz was the fourth overall choice in 2008 and made his debut for the team a year later with 5-2 record and 4.63 ERA in eight starts. In 2010, he started 32 times and was 10-12 with a 4.30 ERA.
After a difficult 2011 season with a 1-9 record and 10.69 ERA in 12 starts, the Orioles moved him from the starting rotation to the bullpen in 2012.
He appeared in all six of the Orioles’ postseason games in relief in 2012 and allowed a game-winning home run to the New York Yankees’ Rául Ibañez in the 12th inning of Game 3 of the Division Series.
Matusz found success as a left-handed relief specialist, appearing in 65 games with a 3.53 ERA in 2013, 63 with a 3.48 ERA in 2014 and 58 with a 2.94 ERA in 2015.
He was notably effective against Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, who was 4-for-29 (.138) with 13 strikeouts.
After seven games in 2016, the Orioles traded him to Atlanta on May 23rd, but he was released and in June pitched in one game for the Chicago Cubs, allowing six runs in three innings, his final major league game. He did earn a World Series ring since the Cubs won the World Series.
Matusz pitched for Triple-A Reno in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in 2017 and in 2019 pitched in the Mexican League and for the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League.
He was an avid golfer, and while he was with the Orioles, made holes-in-one both right-handed and left-handed.
While with the Orioles, Matusz was a supporter of “Casey Cares,” an organization that provides enjoyable experiences to critically ill children and their families.