Brian Matusz, former MLB and Orioles pitcher, dead at 37

Brian Matusz, a former first-round draft pick for the Orioles and eight-year MLB pitcher, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 37.  

No cause of death was provided.  

Matusz, a left-handed pitcher, appeared in 279 of his 280 career MLB games with the Orioles, who paid tribute to him with a heartfelt post on social media.  

“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz,” the team shared on X. “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 could, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face.  

“Brian’s family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”  

A native of Colorado, Matusz rose to prominence at the University of San Diego, earning the title of West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008.  

That same year, the Orioles selected him as the fourth overall pick in the first round of the MLB draft.  

Matusz made his major league debut on August 4, 2009, after spending less than a full season in the minors. He pitched five innings to secure a win against the Tigers.  

In 2010, he achieved a career-high 32 starts and finished fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.  

Later in his career, Matusz transitioned to the bullpen in late 2012, where he became a key player in the Orioles' relief squad.  

From 2013 to 2015, he pitched in at least 58 games per season, maintaining an ERA of 3.53 or lower during that span.  

Matusz made his final MLB appearance with the Cubs in 2016, the year they won the World Series. He later pitched for the Triple-A Reno Aces (Diamondbacks) during the 2017 season.