Brian Matusz was lit up by the Yankees Monday, surrendering four runs on six hits and four walks over just four innings. He struck out only one, needing 96 pitches to cover the four frames. It's a discouraging first outing of the season after Matusz's showing this spring offered so much promise. Remember it was against the Yankees, though, so don't give up on him just yet. He'll try for better results this weekend in Toronto.

Brian Matusz surrendered three runs in five innings Friday against the Tigers. Matusz bounced back from a bad first to hold the Tigers scoreless over the next four innings, and he ended the day with four strikeouts and just one walk. His rotation spot appears secure.

Brian Matusz outpitched Justin Verlander Thursday, striking out six in four scoreless innings against Detroit. Matusz allowed just a pair of singles and walked none in the stellar outing. Since a rough debut, he's pitched eight scoreless innings and struck out 10, putting himself right into the mix for a spot in Baltimore's rotation. The plan had been to give him some Triple-A time, but the 25-year-old left-hander has as much upside as any Orioles pitcher.

Brian Matusz gave up three runs on six hits over two innings in his spring debut Monday against the Pirates. He wasn't as bad as the line indicated. Matusz was consistently clocked in the high 80s-low 90s and struck out three batters while walking none. He also didn't allow any fly balls. The young southpaw had an obscene 10.69 ERA over 12 major league starts last season, but he'll have a much better chance of success this season if he can maintain his velocity. The O's have plenty of pitching options, so Matusz could begin the season in the minors.

Brian Matusz had another dismal outing Sunday, giving up six runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings in a loss to the Tigers. He struck out five and served up a pair of home runs. The young left-hander is surely happy to see his season come to an end, as he fell to 1-9 while actually seeing his ERA drop to 10.69 and WHIP to 2.11. Matusz has plenty of ability, so we're not giving up on him yet, but you'd be taking a leap of faith by spending a draft pick on him next season.

Brian Matusz will start Sunday's game against the Tigers. Matusz will most likely be making his final appearance of an extremely disappointing 2011 campaign. The once promising 24-year old took a gigantic step backwards posting a 10.68 ERA and 2.13 WHIP over 44 2/3 innings after an impressive rookie season. All eyes will be focused on the young left-hander next season.

Brian Matusz allowed six runs on six hits and two walks in just 1 2/3 innings on Monday, falling to 1-8 as Baltimore dropped the second game of a doubleheader 18-9 in Boston. Something is not right with the 24-year-old lefty. Either he's pitching hurt, or has suffered one of the more dramatic erosions of skill you'll ever see. Now the owner of a staggeringly bad 10.68 ERA, Matusz has allowed 95 baserunners in 44 2/3 innings. That translates to an unfathomable 2.13 WHIP. Perhaps not since Chien-Ming Wang came unraveled for the Yankees in 2009 have we witnessed this poor of a performance from someone with legitimate expectations. Needless to say, Matusz will be entering the most important spring training of his career next February.

Brian Matusz will start the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Red Sox. Matusz was removed from the Orioles' starting rotation after his September 5 start against the Yankees, in which allowed five runs in only 1 1/3 innings. But the O's are desperate for an arm and will turn back to the young left-hander one more time.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter hasn't ruled out Brian Matusz making another appearance this season. Matusz hasn't appeared in a game since being booted from the rotation early this month due to his struggles. He's been getting work in on the side and Showalter wouldn't rule out him making a start next week, though it seems likely an appearance would come in long relief if he makes one at all. "I'm proud of the way he's approached it, and I'm looking forward to him getting some return for it at some point," Showalter said.

There is no timetable for when Brian Matusz will make his next appearance. It's also not clear whether that appearance will come in the rotation or out of the bullpen. For what it's worth, Matusz, who was booted from the rotation earlier this week, threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Saturday and came away feeling good.