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.

As the Orioles braced for the extended loss of center fielder Cedric Mullins to a strained groin muscle, knowing that further tests would confirm his placement on the injured list but relieved that the news wasn’t worse, they pondered their options for replacing him on the active roster.

They couldn’t consider Triple-A outfielders Colton Cowser and Kyle Stowers, who were on the injured list. They could recall an infielder to provide depth while others offered support in the outfield corners, leaving center to Austin Hays and Ryan McKenna, but shortstop Joey Ortiz wasn’t available due to some sort of illness that’s kept him from playing since his last demotion.

Aaron Hicks was a free agent after the Yankees designated him for assignment and released him, and executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias expressed interest prior to Mullins’ injury. And the price certainly was right, with the Orioles paying on the prorated major league minimum.

But beware of accepting the role of center fielder with the Orioles. Mullins strained his groin. Hays was out of Wednesday’s lineup because of an illness, which showed in his face later as he shuffled to his locker with one of the athletic trainers. Hicks made his debut with the club, reached base three times and exited with left calf cramps.

One scenario that the Orioles didn’t consider, of course, was promoting Heston Kjerstad from Double-A Bowie. Many fans wanted it. I’m guessing that a few thought it could happen.

Questions about Cedric Mullins' 2021 season usually begin with, "Did you ever imagine that ..." That he'd become the first player in Orioles history with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season. That he'd make the All-Star team and start. That he'd be a unanimous winner of the Most Valuable Oriole award. Mark me down for no, no and no, and I say this in the comfort that I'm not alone. Finishing in the top 10 in Most Valuable Player voting in the American League is another...

The rotation guessing game can't be played without the constant moving of pieces. The Orioles appear to be lining up Dean Kremer behind opening day starter John Means. They appear to want Matt Harvey to pitch the third game, though it hasn't been stated. He could go fourth. My logic came from the idea that the team would want to separate rookies Kremer and Keegan Akin, but the latter has to earn the job and he struggled last night. Would the Orioles stick Bruce Zimmermann in the fifth spot...

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has his scrubbed and sanitized hands full with his own club and a growing set of responsibilities. However, when another manager makes a decision in the World Series that backfires with such force that it shakes the entire industry, Hyde is bound to be asked about it. Especially on a Zoom conference call yesterday as part of the virtual Winter Meetings that don't have the usual four-day deadline. Rays skipper Kevin Cash took the ball from Blake Snell in Game 6, the...

The news last week that the Nationals were adopting Rochester as their Triple-A affiliate - so much for the gag order intended to withhold announcements until a later date - immediately took me back to the day that the Red Wings severed ties with the Orioles. This was a huge deal. They had been affiliated since 1961 - a span of 42 years that represented the longest relationship between major league and Triple-A teams. So many future stars began to shine in Rochester. It was hard to imagine the...

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...

Justin Turner would be the ideal utility player and a perfect fit for the Orioles if he hadn't outgrown the role. He plays every infield position and even has one inning of experience in left field. His power developed late. He's a great teammate and is willing to do whatever is asked of him. But the utility train has left the station. Turner is one of the more attractive pending free agents on the market and his timing is impeccable with career highs across the board: 622 plate appearances,...

The Houston Astros announced today that former Orioles manager Dave Trembley has been hired as a coach. Trembley, 60, will join new manager Bo Porter's staff. His position hasn't been determined. "I'm real appreciative," Trembley said in a phone interview. "Bo is still sorting through where he's going to place everybody. He's got a couple more hires to make, so he's kind of holding off on what we're going to do for him." Trembley had been working as the Atlanta Braves' minor...

Leading up to Dave Trembley's dismissal, you probably heard every reason in the book for both sides of the coin: Trembley should be fired or he shouldn't. Now that he has been relieved of his managerial duties with the O's and Juan Samuel has been named the interim manager, O's fans chimed in (via Twitter) with their two cents on the move. Check out what other fans think about Dave Trembley's firing and add your thoughts (on Trembley, Samuel, or MacPhail's comments during the press...