The former pitcher’s “passion for baseball and our community was unmatched,” the team said Brian Matusz. Photo:Matt Hazlett/Getty Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz is dead. He was 37. The Orioles, with whom Matusz played from 2009 until 2016, announced his death in a statement on Tuesday, Jan. 7. “Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole Brian Matusz,” the statement began. “A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched,” the statement continued. “He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face.” The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! The team ended their statement by extending their thoughts and prayers to Matusz’s family and friends during “this difficult time.” According to Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN)’s Roch Kubatko, Matusz died Tuesday morning. A cause of death has not been released. The left-handed pitcher was first drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth round of the 2005 MLB Draft but opted to play baseball at the University of San Diego, where he played for three years, according to MLB. Brian Matusz during a game on May 17, 2016. Maddie Meyer/Getty He capped off his collegiate career as a two-time finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, the school’s all-time leader in strikeouts (396), and winning the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008. Matusz was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, making his MLB debut in August 2009. Per MLB, he pitched in 280 regular season games throughout his career, starting in 69 of them. He also pitched for two Orioles’ Postseason teams (2012 and 2014), making seven total postseason appearances. His overall ERA was 4.92. Brian Matusz during a game on July 31, 2016. Nancy Stone/getty He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in May 2016, and released a week later, per the MLB. He then signed with the Cubs, where he started for one game. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Matsuz spent 2017 pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A team in Reno, according to MLB. He also made a start in the Mexican League before finishing his pro baseball career with the Long Island Ducks in 2019.
