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Brian Matusz | Relief Pitcher

Team: Baltimore Orioles
Age / DOB:  (26) / 2/11/1987
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 190
Bats / Throws: Left / Left
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Brian Matusz holds a 2.92 ERA and 12/3 K/BB ratio over 12 1/3 relief innings this season.
The Orioles haven't dismissed the possibility of Matusz going back to starting, but he's really found a home in the bullpen. Since moving to the 'pen late last season, the left-hander boasts a 2.10 ERA and 31/6 K/BB ratio over 25 2/3 frames. He'll continue to be the primary left-handed setup man ahead of closer Jim Johnson. May 3 - 11:00 AM

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Player News

Date:
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Brian Matusz was informed by manager Buck Showalter that he has earned a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day bullpen.

Matusz entered the spring hoping to win a spot in the starting rotation but was thoroughly out-pitched by Jake Arrieta. The left-hander will work in long relief and won't hold any fantasy value in standard leagues.
Source: Baltimore Sun
Mar 29 - 11:51 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Brian Matusz surrendered five runs in four innings Sunday in a no-decision versus the Pirates.

Andrew McCutchen homered off him. Matusz was probably doomed in the rotation competition as soon as Jake Arrieta had his strong outing Thursday. He should be an asset to the Orioles out of the pen, but he doesn't figure to have any fantasy value there.
Mar 24 - 5:50 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Brian Matusz pitched five innings of one-run ball Tuesday in the Orioles' 8-7 defeat of the Red Sox.

With a 2.40 ERA and a 13/3 K/BB ratio in 15 innings, Matusz is pitching well enough to win a rotation spot. However, he has a big handicap in that he's better suited to contribute out of the bullpen than the rest of Baltimore's fifth-starter candidates. We still think that's where he'll end up.
Mar 19 - 5:10 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Brian Matusz was terrific Wednesday, striking out seven over four hitless innings against the Twins.

Matusz allowed just one baserunner in the form of a Josh Willingham walk. The left-hander now holds a 2.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 11/2 K/BB ratio over his first 10 spring innings as he tries to convince the Orioles to give him another shot in the rotation. Of course, Matusz dazzled last spring and then was a disaster in the rotation before finding his groove in the bullpen. He's probably best suited as a reliever at this point.
Mar 13 - 9:11 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Brian Matusz started and pitched two scoreless innings Monday in the Orioles' 5-1 defeat of the Yankees.

While it may be a mistake to give up on Matusz as a starter, the Orioles would probably be better off keeping him in the pen given their bevy of rotation candidates. He impressed there last year, amassing a 1.35 ERA in 18 appearances. A decision on his role is still a few weeks away.
Feb 25 - 5:53 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Orioles avoided arbitration with LHP Brian Matusz by agreeing to a one-year, $1.6 million contract.

He can earn $100,000 more in incentives. Matusz, who was a first-time arbitration-eligible player, posted a 1.35 ERA with well over a strikeout per inning as a reliever in 2012 and will likely be used in the same role in 2013.
Jan 18 - 2:01 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles are close to avoiding arbitration with Brian Matusz.

The details of the deal aren't yet known. Matusz, who is in his first year of arbitration, will compete for a rotation spot in spring training but will likely wind up in the bullpen. He posted a 1.35 ERA with well over a strikeout per inning as a reliever in 2012.
Source: Dan Connolly on Twitter
Jan 14 - 3:12 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Brian Matusz underwent surgery last month to repair a torn muscle in his abdomen.

Matusz pitched with the injury for the final three months of the regular season. He should be fine by the start of spring training, and will enter camp with a shot at claiming a spot in the Orioles' starting rotation.
Source: Britt Ghiroli on Twitter
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 05:29:00 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Brian Matusz will be used as a starter in spring training next season.

It's possible he'll move back to the bullpen for the regular season, as Showalter is doing it mainly to build up Matusz's innings. While it's probably too early to give up on the left-hander as a starter, there's no denying that he's been a different pitcher in relief. He posted a 1.35 ERA with well over a strikeout per inning out of the bullpen this season and a 5.42 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in relief.
Source: Roch Kubatko on Twitter
Wed, Oct 10, 2012 06:32:00 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Brian Matusz had to go to the emergency room Tuesday's night after experiencing an allergic reaction.

It's not clear what brought on the reaction, but the good news is that he's fine now and is available to pitch Wednesday if needed. Matusz has been terrific since returning to the O's late last month as a reliever, posting a 1.80 ERA and 14/1 K/BB ratio over 10 innings.
Source: Dan Connolly on Twitter
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 08:35:00 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Orioles recalled LHP Brian Matusz from Triple-A Norfolk.

Sent to Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen on August 14, it appears Matusz will pitch out of the 'pen for the Orioles. He's returning to a rough 5.42 ERA and 1.71 WHIP, but was slightly better in the minors, turning in a 4.21 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 47 innings. Lefties are .223/.281/.384 lifetime against Matusz, so the O's are clearly hoping he'll prove valuable as a "LOOGY" down the stretch.
Source: MASN
Fri, Aug 24, 2012 03:46:00 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Orioles GM Dan Duquette said Wednesday that he still views Brian Matusz as a starter long term.

Matusz was recently shifted to the bullpen at Triple-A Norfolk, but his role could change by the end of this season depending on how he fares in relief. The O's do like his splits against left-handed batters and could bring him back up as a lefty specialist for the stretch run if things are going well down on the farm.
Source: Britt Ghiroli on Twitter
Wed, Aug 15, 2012 05:41:00 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

The Orioles are moving Brian Matusz to the bullpen with Triple-A Norfolk.

Matusz has pitched exclusively as a starter during his professional career, but the Orioles believe he could have some value as a left-handed reliever down the stretch. Lefties have batted .223/.281/.384 lifetime against the 25-year-old.
Source: Roch Kubatko on Twitter
Tue, Aug 14, 2012 04:42:00 PM
Brian Matusz - R - Orioles

Brian Matusz didn't make his scheduled start for Triple-A Norfolk Sunday due to hip flexor tightness.

The good news is that he was able to complete a bullpen session Tuesday without any issues and is all set to start Friday. Matusz has posted a 3.75 ERA and 18/7 K/BB ratio over 36 innings for Norfolk since his demotion.
Source: Brittany Ghiroli on Twitter
Tue, Aug 7, 2012 09:21:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Matt Wieters
2Taylor Teagarden
1B1Chris Davis
2Travis Ishikawa
2B1Brian Roberts
2Alexi Casilla
SS1J.J. Hardy
3B1Manny Machado
2Danny Valencia
3Ryan Flaherty
LF1Nate McLouth
CF1Adam Jones
RF1Nick Markakis
2Chris Dickerson
DH1Wilson Betemit
2Nolan Reimold
3Steve Pearce
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Jason Hammel
2Wei-Yin Chen
3Miguel Gonzalez
4Chris Tillman
5Freddy Garcia
6Zach Britton
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Jim Johnson
2Darren O'Day
3Brian Matusz
4Pedro Strop
5Troy Patton
6Tommy Hunter
7T.J. McFarland
8Steve Johnson