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Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he hasn't yet seen left-handed reliever Brian Matusz turn the corner this season, on the heels of Matusz allowing a two-run home run to put Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Oakland Athletics out of reach.
Matusz came off the disabled list two weeks ago after missing the beginning of the season with a back strain, and has allowed runs in three of his five outings after Saturday's effort.
"You're trying to trust him," Showalter said. "He got a lot of innings, we stretched him out and did a lot of things to try to get him [ready]. I was hoping he'd be a little crisper when he got back, but he hasn't found it yet. We hope he does soon, because he's a valuable guy — can be."
Statistically, Matusz, who is making $3.9 million this season, is having the worst year of his career. In five appearances, he has a 10.80 ERA with a 3.30 WHIP, and has walked five in 3 1/3 innings pitched.
Eleven of the 21 batters he has faced have reached base.
Matusz is coming off arguably his best year as a reliever, as he had a 2.94 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 49 innings pitched.
Down, up, down for McFarland
Baltimore Orioles Insider
Left-hander T.J. McFarland was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Janish on the 25-man roster, but his stay in the minors wasn't long.
The Orioles brought him back as the 26th man for the second game, as major league rules allow teams to add an extra player for doubleheaders. The normal 10-day requirement for players optioned to the minors does not apply for doubleheader call-ups, but the player must return to the minors after the game.
McFarland went 0-1 with a 4.73 ERA in 13 1/3 innings over his eight appearances before Saturday.
Around the horn
Athletics manager Bob Melvin, who played for the Orioles from 1989 to 1991, recorded his 900th career win as a manager Saturday. … Former Maryland football player A.J. Francis, now of the Seattle Seahawks, threw out the first pitch before Game 1.