Brian Matusz, first-round pick and longtime Orioles pitcher, dead at 37

Brian Matusz, a former first-round draft pick by the Orioles who spent eight years in the majors as a pitcher, died on Tuesday.He was 37 years old.

No cause of death was given.The lefty made 279 of his 280 career appearances with the Orioles, who wrote a heartfelt tribute to the pitcher on social media.“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, Brian Matusz,” the team wrote 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.”Matusz, a Colorado native, became a star at the University of San Diego, winning the 2008 West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year.That same year, the Orioles picked him with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the MLB draft.After a little less than a full season in the minors, Matusz made his big league debut on Aug.4, 2009, throwing five innings in a win against the Tigers.He threw a career-high 32 starts in 2010, finishing fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.He shifted to the bullpen late in the 2012 season, eventually becoming a mainstay in the Orioles relief corps.

In each season from 2013-15, he appeared in at least 58 games with an ERA of 3.53 or lower.Matusz made one final big league appearance with the World Series-winning Cubs in 2016 before pitching with the Triple-A Reno Aces (Diamondbacks) the following season.He last pitched professionally with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League after a stint in Mexico....