Baltimore Orioles: 2014 Season Grades – Relief Pitchers
Jun 21, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (left) takes Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz (17) out of the game against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
B-. . Pitcher. Baltimore Orioles. BRIAN MATUSZ
Brian Matusz was again used out of the bullpen often as a lefty specialist, and we can call it a moderately successful season. Overall, the numbers are – as in Tommy Hunter’s case – just a bit poorer than in 2013. Here is a comparison …
| Year | G | W | L | IP | H | BB | ERA | .avg | WHIP |
| 2013 | 65 | 2 | 1 | 51.0 | 43 | 16 | 3.53 | .230 | 1.16 |
| 2013 | 63 | 2 | 3 | 51.2 | 51 | 17 | 3.48 | .250 | 1.32 |
Not included in the chart above is the statistic that, in the same relative number of innings pitched, he gave up seven home runs this year, but only three in 2013.
If the Orioles are unable to somehow sign Andrew Miller, probably Matusz needs to be retained. However, should Miller stay, it would not be a terrible loss for the Orioles to see if they could get something back for this once-promising high draft choice.