Former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz has died at age 37, the team announced

On By Littum

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 19: Brian Matusz #17 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the New York Mets at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo: G Fiume/Getty Images)

Brian Matusz was selected in the first round, fourth overall, by the Baltimore Orioles in 2008 and spent eight seasons with the team. (Photo: G Fiume/Getty Images)

Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz has died at age 37, the team announced Tuesday. Matusz, a former first-round pick, played for the Orioles from 2009 to 2016.

In a post on social media, the team described Matusz as “a fixture in our clubhouse” and praised him for his passion for baseball and the Baltimore community.

“He dedicated his time to connecting with every fan he could, was a beloved teammate and always had a smile on his face,” the team wrote in the post.

Matusz, a Colorado native, was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth round of the 2005 MLB Draft, but chose to play baseball at the University of San Diego. He was then selected by Baltimore fourth overall in the 2008 MLB Draft. Matusz made his MLB debut in August 2009 and spent seven seasons in the Orioles’ bullpen.

Matusz played in 280 games for the Orioles from 2009-2016, posting a 4.92 overall ERA.

After being traded by the team in 2016 and quickly released by the Atlanta Braves, Matusz played briefly for the Chicago Cubs in 2016. His last MLB game – on July 31, 2016, in which he started – qualified him to receive a World Series championship ring as the Cubs won it all that season.