Brian Matusz happy with 'proactive' approach to rib cage strain; could throw in a week or two

SARASOTA, Fla. — Orioles reliever Brian Matusz said on Saturday that he hopes to be back to full activity in one to two weeks after suffering a lower back strain during one of his early bullpen sessions of spring training.

"I got an MRI and initially the consensus was there was a bone bruise on three different ribs," Matusz said. "Dr. [Derek] Papp took a look at the MRI and there's just some inflammation in there around the ribs. A strain of the serratus. So the doctor said I'm looking at about a week to two weeks before being back to full activity, but it's all depending on the symptoms and how I feel. We're just going to treat it accordingly and go day to day."

Manager Buck Showalter said Friday that Matusz would be on the disabled list if the injury had happened during the regular season. Matusz essentially confirmed that with the time frame that he laid out.

"Obviously, we're going to be cautions," Matusz said, "and obviously the goal is to be ready for the start of the season but also be careful and make sure that it's 100-percent healed. But the trainers have said it all depends on the symptoms and how I feel."