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Baltimore Orioles

Orioles reliever Brian Matusz has successful shoulder surgery

By Eduardo A. Encina
Baltimore Sun
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Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz prepares to throw to the Texas Rangers during a baseball game, Thursday, July 2, 2015, in Baltimore.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brian Matusz prepares to throw to the Texas Rangers during a baseball game, Thursday, July 2, 2015, in Baltimore. (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press)

Orioles reliever Brian Matusz had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right (non-throwing) shoulder Monday and expects to have a normal offseason and be ready for spring training in 2016.

Matusz's procedure, which was performed by Ravens team orthopedist Dr. Leigh Ann Curl in Baltimore, included the repair of the AC joint and cleaning out about a centimeter of arthritic bone.

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Matusz said recovery should take about a month, at which time he should be able to throw and prepare for the upcoming season as normal. Matusz timed the surgery for right after the season so it wouldn't interfere with his offseason routine.

Earlier this week, Matusz said that he had been dealing with discomfort in his non-throwing shoulder since spring training but he received a cortisone shot that alleviated the pain. Shortly after the All-Star break, Matusz began feeling discomfort in the shoulder again, but said it didn't affect his pitching.

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Matusz was 1-4 with a 2.94 ERA in 58 relief appearances in 2015, striking out 56 and allowing 38 hits over 49 innings. Matusz held left-handed hitters to a .186 average on the season (compared to .244 against right-handers). He posted a 3.80 ERA after the break after pitching to a 2.28 ERA in the first half of the season.

Matusz is one of the Orioles' nine arbitration-eligible players. He is entering his third and final season of arbitration eligibility after making $3.2-million in 2015.

eencina@baltsun.com
twitter.com/EddieInTheYard

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