The Baltimore Orioles have confirmed the death of their former pitcher, Brian Matusz, at the age of 37. The team did not give a cause of death.
“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz,” the team said in a statement on Tuesday night. “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.”
Baltimore selected Matusz with the No 4 overall pick in the 2008 draft after he was named as a West Coast Conference pitcher of the year during his time at the University of San Diego. He made his MLB debut in August 2009, winning his first start against the Detroit Tigers. He was also on Baseball America’s 2010 All-Rookie Team. Over the next few years, he was moved to the bullpen, where he often excelled, and was eventually traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2016. He went on to win a World Series ring that season after being picked up by the Chicago Cubs.
Matusz’s last connection with an MLB team came in 2017 when he signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, a move he said fulfilled “a childhood dream” after growing up in Phoenix.
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