BALTIMORE — Brian Matusz, a left-handed pitcher who played in the major leagues for eight years, primarily with the Baltimore Orioles during their resurgence a decade ago, has passed away at the age of 37.
The University of San Diego and the Orioles announced Matusz’s death on Tuesday evening, having received notification from his family. While they did not disclose the circumstances surrounding his passing, it is known that he died in Arizona.
On Wednesday evening, the Phoenix police department confirmed that they responded to a report of a deceased individual at 2:45 p.m. on Monday, where they discovered Matusz. They are currently treating the situation as a death investigation, pending results from a medical examiner.
In a heartfelt statement, the Orioles expressed their sorrow, saying, “Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole Brian Matusz. A fixture in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was a beloved member of Birdland, and his love for baseball and our community was unparalleled. He dedicated himself to engaging with fans and was a treasured teammate, always seen with a smile.”
Matusz was drafted by the Orioles with the fourth overall selection in the 2008 MLB Draft, following his collegiate career at San Diego.
Brock Ungricht, the head coach at the University of San Diego, remarked, “Brian was among the greatest players to don a Torero uniform. His commitment to the USD community and his love for baseball were clear to everyone who knew him. His untimely passing leaves a significant gap in our hearts, but his legacy will continue to motivate us, both on the field and beyond. We will always cherish his friendship and steadfast support of San Diego baseball.”
Matusz made his MLB debut in 2009 and started games until transitioning to a bullpen role late in the 2012 season, when the Orioles secured a wild card spot and reached the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
During the 2014 season, Matusz recorded a 2-3 record with a 3.48 ERA across 63 relief appearances, contributing to the Orioles’ success as they claimed the AL East title.
In the early part of the 2016 season, Matusz was traded to the Atlanta Braves, and later he joined the Chicago Cubs, making one last start for the team, marking the end of his major league career.
