Baltimore Orioles reliever Brian Matusz to have surgery on AC joint

Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports that Baltimore Orioles reliever Brian Matusz will undergo surgery on Monday to repair an AC join in his non-throwing shoulder. The 2008 fourth-overall pick last pitched on September 26, though Matusz told reporters that the injury didn’t effect his performance.

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While the former top prospect never lived up to his potential as a starter, Matusz did put together a solid season in relief for Baltimore, posting a 2.98 ERA across 58 appearances while posting a strong 10.4 K/9 rate. He also went through the month of June without yielding a run in seven appearances, while giving up just two runs in 14 appearances in the month of August.

Matusz said that he hopes having surgery immediately after the season ends will allow him to have a normal offseason and be ready to go for Spring Training. Health will be particularly healthy for Matusz entering next season, as he goes into 2016 set to hit free agency after the year. Putting up similar numbers to his 2015 line should line the lefty up for a healthy payday on the open market, though continued trade speculation leaves the question out there whether Matusz will be auditioning for other clubs as an Oriole or in a different uniform next year.

With the surgery being on his non-throwing shoulder, it appears that Matusz will be available out of the bullpen for the Orioles in their final four games. Manager Buck Showalter may elect not to use him, however, as Baltimore has already been eliminated from postseason contention.