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Former Baltimore Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz, the No. 4 pick in the 2008 MLB draft who spent almost his entire eight-year career with the Orioles, died Tuesday at age 37.

Matusz pitched in 279 games for Baltimore, making 68 starts. The only other major league team he played for was the Chicago Cubs, making a three-inning start on July 31, 2016.

“A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-16, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched,” the Orioles said in a statement. “He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate and always had a smile on his face.”

No cause of death has been disclosed.

Matusz, who eventually became a reliever, was most known for his success against Hall of Famer David Ortiz, who went 4-for-29 (.138) with 13 strikeouts in his career against Matusz.

He pitched in both the 2012 and 2014 postseasons for the Orioles.

Baltimore traded Matusz, who had a 12.00 ERA in seven games, to the Braves in May 2016, and Atlanta released him a week later. He signed with the Cubs, where he pitched in the minors except for the one big league start. His pitching career ended in 2019.

Matusz originally was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the fourth round in 2005, but he decided to go to the University of San Diego, where he won West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year and was a two-time finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. He finished his college career as the school’s all-time leader in strikeouts, with 396.

Matusz would have been 38 on Feb. 11.

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2025 MLB All-Star Game: Everything you need to know

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2025 MLB All-Star Game: Everything you need to know

For the first time since the turn of the century, MLB’s All-Star Game will be held in Atlanta — the first ever at Truist Park since its opening in 2017.

All-Star festivities begin July 11 and culminate in the Midsummer Classic on July 15, as the National League looks to gain just its second win since 2013 while the American League aims to extend its dominance.

Following the first phase of All-Star voting, we know the top overall vote-getters in each league — Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani — automatically earned the starting spot at their positions, outfield and designated hitter, respectively. Now, the starting lineups have been revealed, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers leading the way each with three starters, followed by the Chicago Cubs with two. Four players named as starters — Cal Raleigh, Jacob Wilson, Ryan O’Hearn and Pete Crow-Armstrong — are first-time All-Stars.

Stay tuned, as we’ll have everything you need to navigate All-Star Week — from event schedules and full rosters to All-Star Game analysis.

Vote for the All-Star starters: All-Star Ballot 2025

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How does MLB All-Star voting work?

2025 MLB All-Star roster predictions, biggest debates

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All-Star schedule

(All times ET)

July 2: MLB All-Star starters reveal at 7 p.m. on ESPN

July 6: MLB All-Star full rosters announced at 5 p.m. on ESPN

July 11: HBCU Swingman Classic at 8 p.m. on MLB Network

July 13: MLB Draft at 6 p.m. on ESPN and MLB Network

July 14: MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game at 1 p.m. on MLB Network

July 14: MLB Home Run Derby at 8 p.m. on ESPN

July 15: All-Star Red Carpet Show at 2 p.m. on MLB Network

July 15: MLB All-Star Game at 7 p.m. on FOX

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Cards rest injured Contreras, Arenado vs. Pirates

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Cards rest injured Contreras, Arenado vs. Pirates

PITTSBURGH — First baseman Willson Contreras and third baseman Nolan Arenado are out of the St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Contreras sustained a left hand contusion during Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to the Pirates when hit by a pitch from Paul Skenes. Arenado will miss a second straight game with a jammed right middle finger.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Wednesday that he is hopeful Contreras and Arenado can play Friday when St. Louis opens a three-game series against the National League Central-leading Cubs in Chicago.

The Cardinals entered play Wednesday in third place in the division, four games behind the Cubs. St. Louis has an off day on Thursday.

Contreras, a three-time All-Star, is hitting .248 with 11 home runs in 82 games. An eight-time All-Star, Arenado has a .247 batting average and 10 homers in 80 games.

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Guillorme is latest to IL for banged-up Astros

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Guillorme is latest to IL for banged-up Astros

DENVER — The Houston Astros placed infielder Luis Guillorme on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hamstring Wednesday, the latest position player sidelined for the American League West leaders.

The eight-year veteran Guillorme appeared in 12 games for the Astros, who put shortstop Jeremy Pena on the 10-day injured list with a broken rib earlier this week. Infielder Zack Short was promoted from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill in for Guillorme and added to the 40-man roster, and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room.

Alvarez has already been out for two months with a broken right hand. He recently had a setback in his recovery, making his timetable to return to the lineup uncertain.

The Astros have put six position players on the injured list in the past two months and have a total of 14 players, including pitchers, sidelined by injuries.

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