More memories of Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz

A memorial service will be held later this morning for former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Glendale, Ariz. Teammates and the friends made through his years in baseball are gathering to celebrate his life.

That’s how they want to treat the day. To smile through the tears and to remember and share the many stories. To comfort and console.

Matusz, the fourth-overall pick in the 2008 draft out of the University of San Diego who appeared in 280 games in eight seasons, passed away on Jan. 6 at his home in Phoenix. He was only 37.

The Orioles turned Matusz into a lefty specialist out of the bullpen and he posted ERAs of 3.53, 3.48 and 2.94 in a combined 186 games from 2013-15. He made one start for the Cubs in 2016 and received a World Series ring. Attempts to extend his career took him to Triple-A Reno, Mexico and the independent Atlantic League, his last innings pitched in 2019.

Matusz was the bullpen coach for Baseball New Zealand in the 2022 World Baseball Classic, a final chance to remain close to the sport that he loved.

Notes on teaching, Dave Trembley and Steve Johnson

Notes on teaching, Dave Trembley and Steve Johnson
No matter who fills out the Orioles coaching staff in 2019, the ability to teach is going to be crucial, with so many young players vying for roster spots and assorted veterans in need of some tweaking, if not a complete overhaul. "I think the game in general has become a lot younger," manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday night on the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "The older-type veteran guys, it just seems like it's really becoming a younger game. Teams are giving younger players a...

More trade talk

More trade talk
The teams jockeying for position in the Manny Machado sweepstakes aren't hanging in one spot. The Braves, for example, seem less inclined to make a serious run at him as the days pass. They were Top 5 a few weeks ago, but the list didn't include the Yankees. And the Phillies, who were fourth, have moved past the Diamondbacks due to an increase in recent talks and depth of farm system. The Dodgers haven't gone away. Far from it. Of course, these rankings aren't based on a solid formula....

Tonight's game and roster moves, Bleier's been best and more

Tonight's game and roster moves, Bleier's been best and more
A win tonight in Anaheim will allow the Orioles to equal their longest streak of the season. If anyone regards back-to-back victories as constituting a streak. The Cambridge Dictionary defines "streak" as: A mark of a color that is different from what surrounds it, or a thin strip of light. Doesn't seem like a fit here. Let's keep going. An obvious characteristic in a personality. Strike two. A period during which a series of things happens. We're getting there. A short period of good or...

Buck Showalter on Chris Davis (Steve Johnson traded)

Buck Showalter on Chris Davis (Steve Johnson traded)
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is back in a down cycle with the bat. He is 2-for-21 his last six games with nine strikeouts as his average has dropped from .224 to .215. He is 1-for-7 in this series. I asked manager Buck Showalter this morning if he wishes Davis would become more aggressive at the plate and take fewer pitches? "Of course," he said. "I'm sure people see something in a game and they wonder about those things. If they saw all the work and conversations and...

Last night's gamble and thoughts on Bourn, Kim and more

Last night's gamble and thoughts on Bourn, Kim and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter wasn't certain last night whether the Orioles would regret leaving their bullpen intact with the Nationals in town. Alec Asher wasn't available after working 3 1/3 innings the previous day and another early exit from Kevin Gausman could bring serious complications. It's not like the Nationals have many soft spots in their lineup. They led the majors in average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits, doubles and runs scored and were second in home runs....

Flaherty gets rare start tonight (we're tied)

Flaherty gets rare start tonight (we're tied)
Shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of the Orioles lineup tonight for the first time since April 15 in Toronto, which coincided with Ryan Flaherty's only start this month. Hardy got to rest two days later with the Orioles having their fourth open date on the schedule. He played in the next eight games without a break, going 4-for-30, after a 7-for-16 stretch in the previous four games. The Orioles are off again Thursday, giving Hardy an extended rest before Friday night's series opener at Yankee...

Britton ready to resume throwing on Monday (and other notes)

Britton ready to resume throwing on Monday (and other notes)
Orioles closer Zach Britton could start throwing again on Monday after seeing a hand specialist in the morning. Britton said his arm feels great and he was happy with the results of the MRI. He no longer has any discomfort in his forearm and wants to throw today, but the Orioles will make him wait a few more days. Chris Tillman's next rehab start after tonight will be Thursday with Single-A Frederick at Potomac. The Orioles won't need a fifth starter again until May 2, and Tillman could fill...

Pregame notes on Tillman, Hardy, Janish and more

Pregame notes on Tillman, Hardy, Janish and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Chris Tillman's bullpen session today went well and the right-hander is scheduled for another one in a few days before the club will consider having him face hitters. "We were trying not to jinx ourselves and get ahead of it," Showalter said. "It's the plan that we had. Everything's falling on the calendar that we put up three weeks ago or two weeks ago. He's right on schedule. It's going to be tough to withstand any setbacks, but if...

Steve Johnson agrees to minor league deal with Orioles

Steve Johnson agrees to minor league deal with Orioles
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Steve Johnson is coming back to the Orioles organization. Johnson, 29, has agreed to terms on a minor league deal that doesn't include an invitation to spring training, according to an industry source. He's going to report to Twin Lakes Park after the Orioles receive the results of his physical, but he could join the group of pitchers who occasionally are summoned to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The Orioles acquired Johnson, the former St. Paul's standout, and third...

Former Orioles still waiting for jobs

Former Orioles still waiting for jobs
SARASOTA, Fla. - The shelves on the free agent market continue to empty slowly. Players and agents wait for the buyers' rush, or baseball's version of Black Friday The former Orioles aisle includes designated hitter Pedro Álvarez, outfielder Nolan Reimold, catcher Steve Clevenger and pitcher Steve Johnson, the Baltimore native and former St. Paul's standout who appeared in 16 games with the Mariners last season. Pitcher Alfredo Simon also is unsigned. There's been no connection between...

More on the injuries, roster and tonight's game

More on the injuries, roster and tonight's game
It's time to get busy again after yesterday's off-day. Please watch your step while I'm dripping with sarcasm. I wouldn't want you to slip and fall. Infielder Ryan Flaherty will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to replace shortstop J.J. Hardy, who's going on the disabled list with a hairline fracture in his left foot. In case you haven't memorized this part, Flaherty can return sooner than Thursday because he's replacing an injured player. Hardy will be out at least four weeks. I've...

Former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson signs with Rangers

Former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson signs with Rangers
Former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson, the local product who made his major league debut four years ago at Camden Yards, has signed a minor league deal with the Rangers that includes an invitation to spring training. The Orioles designated Johnson for assignment on Dec. 2 while making a flurry of roster moves at the deadline to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. They needed to create a spot for left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser on the 40-man roster. Johnson, 28, allowed six...

Out of the Park: Crazy finishes, the "Hot Stove Show" and a thank you note

Out of the Park: Crazy finishes, the "Hot Stove Show" and a thank you note
I hope everyone enjoyed their extended weekend over the Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by friends, family and delicious food. My favorite dish from last weekend was my grandmother's chorizo stuffing, with my aunt's green bean casserole topped with crispy onions as my sleeper pick. This was actually a baseball-packed week with the non-tender deadline on Wednesday night and Winter Meetings a mere three days away. And although I'm sure you kept up with the latest news by checking out Roch...

Recapping the roster madness

Recapping the roster madness
My head stopped spinning long enough this morning for me to catch a couple of hours of sleep. So much for a lull in the offseason. It was more like lull-a bye. (See what I did there?) The Orioles announced their trade with the Mariners and set up a conference call with executive vice president Dan Duquette and first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo. They traded for catcher Francisco Pena, the son of former major league catcher and current Yankees coach Tony Pena. They confirmed that the Mariners...

Hearing from Johnson, Clevenger, Trumbo and Duquette

Hearing from Johnson, Clevenger, Trumbo and Duquette
Baltimore native Steve Johnson was braced for the possibility that he would be designated for assignment this offseason, so he took the news in stride today after the Orioles removed him from the 40-man roster. "I don't want to say I was too surprised," said Johnson, the St. Paul's graduate who was designated to create a spot for left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser. "I kind of understood after not having the best September that it was a possibility. There were a couple of times they could have...

Orioles designate Steve Johnson for assignment

Orioles designate Steve Johnson for assignment
The Orioles have removed two Baltimore natives from their 40-man roster. The trade with Seattle is official. The Orioles sent catcher Steve Clevenger to the Mariners for first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo and left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser. To make room for Riefenhauser on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated St. Paul's graduate Steve Johnson for assignment. "Trumbo is a proven major league run producer who will add depth and power to our lineup," said executive vice president Dan...

Wondering about the bullpen's flexibility in 2016

Wondering about the bullpen's flexibility in 2016
One issue for the Orioles in 2015 involved a bullpen that didn't provide enough flexibility. Too many relievers without minor league options. Too many instances where the club was challenged to bring up a fresh arm. Tommy Hunter was shipped to the Cubs at the non-waiver deadline to free up a spot. It was a risky move for a team still in contention. A fan suggested Saturday on "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN that the Orioles could solve the problem by having seven good relievers, eliminating...

Orioles 40-man roster raises some interesting questions

Orioles 40-man roster raises some interesting questions
The Orioles have marked an important item off their check list by reaching agreement with their entire coaching staff on contracts for 2016. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to keep the group intact and it's going to happen, despite interest from other organizations. There were concerns that bullpen coach Dom Chiti might leave to accept a job as pitching coach, but he signed a new deal on Friday. In case you missed it, the Phillies hired former Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz as bullpen...

Wondering about the composition of the bullpen in 2016

Wondering about the composition of the bullpen in 2016
It's apparently safe for me to resurrect my visions of an epic Royals-Blue Jays matchup in the American League Championship Series. Reports of their demise were greatly exaggerated. Love 'em or hate 'em - and I know where most of you stand on the topic - these are two special teams. It's hard to imagine the series ending in fewer than seven games. Which opponent is more challenged to bounce back on the road in Game 5 - the one that blew a four-run lead in the eighth inning (Astros) or the...