Any hopes the Baltimore Orioles have to play competitively in the AL East are tied to their talented young pitchers, and those hopes took a hit this spring when promising lefty Brian Matusz went down with an intercostal strain, which affected his ribs and caused significant pain. The latest news is good, though, with Matusz progressing toward a return to the mound. From MASN:
Brian Matusz To Begin Extended Spring Training
Brian Matusz threw a bullpen session and live batting practice today at Twins Lakes Park in Sarasota. Matusz felt strong and had good command of his fastball. He also threw some breaking balls.Matusz threw 30 pitches in the bullpen and 20 more to live hitters. He'll start Saturday's extended spring training game.
The 24-year-old was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft, and he showed promising walk and strikeout numbers in 2010, his first full season in the majors. While Zach Britton was Matusz’s initial replacement, the rookie has a 2.63 ERA over six starts, so it’s likely that another Orioles pitcher will be bounced from the rotation to make room for Matusz when he’s ready.
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