Police reveal longtime Baltimore Orioles pitcher's cause of death at 37
Brian Matusz was found dead in his home by his mother on Jan. 6.
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The death of a former Baltimore Orioles first-round pick has taken an even more tragic turn.
According to a Phoenix police report obtained by the Baltimore Banner, it is believed that ex-Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz died of a drug overdose.
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Police reveal longtime Baltimore Orioles pitcher's cause of death at 37 Back to video
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Matusz reportedly was found dead in his home by his mother, Elizabeth, on Jan. 6 and he had a white substance in his mouth with drug paraphernalia on the floor next to him.
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The report indicates that Elizabeth told police Brian had a history of drug abuse and recently made comments like “there is nothing left for me.”
She reportedly took Brian to an emergency room two days earlier on Jan. 4, where he was advised to seek help from a mental health professional.
According to the outlet, the reason for the ER trip had been redacted.
Elizabeth then took Brian to the Banner Behavioral Health Hospital in Scottsdale later that day, but he was not admitted.
Elizabeth also told police that Matusz recently talked about how he used to “have it all.”
The investigation into Matusz’s death is ongoing and further details of the case have been withheld due at the behest of the family.
The lefty, who began his career as a starting pitcher before becoming a specialist out of the bullpen, made 280 career appearances — all but one for the Orioles.
The team made a heartfelt tribute on social media to their longtime clubhouse stalwart.
“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, who was born in Grand Junction, Col., originally was drafted out of high school in the fourth round of the 2005 draft by the Angels but opted to attend the University of San Diego. He boosted his stock there, becoming the fourth overall pick of the 2008 draft by the Orioles.
After less than a full season in the minors, Matusz made his major-league debut on Aug. 4, 2009.
He made a career-high 32 starts in 2010, finishing fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.
After an ineffective 2011 season and poor start to 2012, he was shifted to the bullpen, where he regained his footing.
In each season from 2013 to 2015, he appeared in at least 58 games and lowered his ERA each year until hitting a career-best 2.94 in 2015.
After making seven appearances for the O’s in 2016, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves, who released him. Matusz later signed with the Chicago Cubs, making just one MLB appearance — which turned out to be the last of his career — for the eventual World Series champions.
More recently, Matusz served as a bullpen coach for New Zealand at the 2022 World Baseball Classic.
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