Brian Matusz has allowed just four earned runs over his past 23 innings of work for Triple-A Norfolk. He threw a shutout against Lehigh Valley on Thursday. With Chris Tillman demoted following another rough outing on Thursday, there's a decent chance Matusz will be recalled to take his place in the rotation. The situation is worth keeping an eye on in AL-only leagues.

Brian Matusz threw a complete game shutout Thursday for Triple-A Norfolk. Very impressive. Matusz scattered five hits while striking out eight, walking one and hitting two batters. He threw 74 out of 105 pitches for strikes. The young left-hander sat in the 88-89 mph on his fastball and topped out at 91 mph. He has allowed just four earned runs over his last three starts and is clearly knocking on the door for a return to the majors.

Brian Matusz averaged between 87-88 mph and topped out at 90 mph with his fastball in Thursday's start with Triple-A Norfolk. He was rocked for eight runs (seven earned) over 3 2/3 innings during the outing. Though Orioles manager Buck Showalter called the start a small setback, he said that he reports from Tides' pitching coach Mike Griffin were better that his line indicated. For what it's worth, his velocity was basically the same in his last start, when he struck out eight over seven shutout innings. Either way, he'll need to get better results before rejoining the O's.

Brian Matusz was smoked for eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings Thursday in his latest start with Triple-A Norfolk. Uh oh. Matusz walked three and struck out two while throwing 53 out of 85 pitches for strikes. We haven't heard any reports about his velocity yet, but this is a huge step back after he tossed seven shutout innings in his last start. The young left-hander obviously still has some work to do before returning to the majors.

Brian Matusz averaged 88 mph and touched 90 mph with his fastball velocity in his start for Triple-A Norfolk Saturday. Still not ideal, but it's a step up from the 86 mph he was averaging with the Orioles. The results were also there for the left-hander, as he spun seven shutout innings while striking out eight and allowing just three hits and two walks. He'll need a few more similar outings before rejoining the O's, but it's a step in the right direction.

Brian Matusz's fastball velocity was reportedly "even lower than it had been while he was pitching in the big leagues" when he made his first start for Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. That's quite alarming considering Matusz's average fastball was hitting just 86.7 miles per hour before his demotion. Matusz still has a bright future, but 2011 is looking lost for the young left-hander.

Brian Matusz struggled Tuesday in his first start since being demoted to Triple-A Norfolk, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. He also surrendered a pair of home runs. Matusz posted an 8.77 ERA in six starts for the Orioles before being optioned and it's clear that he's yet to fix whatever issues that are plaguing him. He'll remain in Norfolk indefinitely.

Orioles optioned LHP Brian Matusz to Triple-A Norfolk. Matusz was torched for eight earned runs in just 3 1/3 innings Thursday against the Cardinals and will head to the minor leagues having surrendered 25 earned runs in 25 1/3 total major league frames this season. The velocity of his fastball has dipped nearly 4 mph since his strong finish in 2010 and his breaking stuff isn't breaking like it used to. There's clearly something wrong.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has indicated that the struggling Brian Matusz will remain in the rotation. "It seems like a lot of balls squared up off him when he's kind of down sometimes," Showalter said. "It looks like he's getting some outs up. I've seen him when he's good, and he has good command of the fastball. Really all his pitches. Like I said, we'll keep working, trying to get back to that status." When asked if Matusz can regain that "status" in the majors, Showalter said, "that's what the plan is." Matusz has posted a 6.85 ERA over his first five starts. He obviously can't be trusted right now, but he has loads of talent and we expect him to eventually right the ship.

Brian Matusz was shelled again, allowing six earned runs in four-plus innings Saturday to the Reds. Matusz looked strong in his 2011 debut on June 1 and also had a nice second start, but it's been all downhill from there. The Orioles are committed to letting him figure it out in the majors, but that could change if the current trend continues. He will take on the Braves next week.