How long before we give Matusz another shot?

[Mr Snuffleupagus]

With the current state of the O's starting pitching I wonder if DD and Buck consider stretching him back out. I'm anxious to see Jair but not many seem to think he's the Jair of old. Chen is going to be out for at least a month it seems. Arrieta was performing well at AAA but seems to have some recent soreness potentially putting him on the shelf. Britton isn't exactly dominating lesser competition in the minors. Steve Johnson was less than impressive... How long can Garcia stick? Is TJ McFarland more deserving of an opportunity? Is Matusz too valuable in the pen?

I'm torn on this, but think he might be an option worth considering at some point soon. What say you?

[Frobby]

I would really like to do this, but I don't think it's going to happen.

[MDK02]

He's doing great from the pen, pretty dominate. One bad start as a starter could be a big set back for his confidence, I guess it is somewhat high risk high reward situation at this point but we need someone to step up.

[Corolla35]

I would love to see Matusz get another shot at starting. But since he is valuable in the pen, you've got to replace his production in the bullpen first. This is where I think Zach Britton can find a role on the team.

[rwilliams1022]

I'd much rather keep Matusz in the bullpen, but would be open to having him stretch out as a starter. This is probably a last ditch effort, though, after we try every other option (Save for Gausman?) If we're going to stretch him out, though, it should be in AAA rather than the majors (like Gonzalez last year). Give him a few starts to get his pitch count to 90; no short appearances to hinder our already over-taxed bullpen.

Would still rather see McFarland get a shot at some point. I just like his style for some reason. Nice groundball pitcher that's gained some confidence in the bullpen. Better than these pitchers trying to strike every batter out and walking 'em on seven pitches.

[waroriole]

I would really like to do this, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Not this year, IMO.

[waroriole]

He's going to be an expensive middle reliever pretty soon. However, I don't know how effective he'll be as a SP without that changeup.

[Frobby]

I know for a fact that Brian wants to start but is playing "good soldier" in keeping mum and putting a positive spin on pitching to one batter or

one inning. I talked to someone VERY close to Brian and he said that is still Brian's dream (as you would expect).

I asked if Brian's new found confidence and ability was an adjustment made by Rick Peterson or Rick Adair, and this person just said 'Brian studies

video intensely and found his flaw when he was sent down a year ago."

He may still give up a HR or have an occasional bad inning, but he's a different pitcher than he was in his "blue period" last year. He's stronger,

smarter, and more technically sound. And yes, of course, he's FAR more valuable as a starter than as a situational reliever IF the Orioles would

give him a shot.

Think about the Orioles need right now. Is it to be a solid if not dominant starter or to get out a left handed batter in the 8th inning?To me, it's a no

brainer. He's the only real young arm with PROVEN success on the MLB level, even if it's also true that he struggled mightily and historically when

he wasnt in shape or was slightly off mechanically.Besides, if it doesnt work out, he can go back to his old role.

I agree Matusz is a different pitcher now than he was a year ago. Besides the things you mentioned, Matusz is just much more direct about attacking hitters rather than nibbling. He used to be done in by that one 25-pitch inning he inevitably would have early in the game. Now it seems like he comes in and he's all about getting ahead and then finishing the hitter off, no fooling around. Now, could he do that for 6-7 innings in a row? That remains to be seen, but I'd like to find out. I just don't think Buck will do it.

[Mr Snuffleupagus]

He's going to be an expensive middle reliever pretty soon. However, I don't know how effective he'll be as a SP without that changeup.

This is a good point. Converting him back to a starter might be the best chance for him to remain in an Oriole uniform for 2014.

[Tx Oriole]

With the current state of the O's starting pitching I wonder if DD and Buck consider stretching him back out. I'm anxious to see Jair but not many seem to think he's the Jair of old. Chen is going to be out for at least a month it seems. Arrieta was performing well at AAA but seems to have some recent soreness potentially putting him on the shelf. Britton isn't exactly dominating lesser competition in the minors. Steve Johnson was less than impressive... How long can Garcia stick? Is TJ McFarland more deserving of an opportunity? Is Matusz too valuable in the pen?

I'm torn on this, but think he might be an option worth considering at some point soon. What say you?

Never. He needs to stay in the BP. IMO

[Mr Snuffleupagus]

Never. He needs to stay in the BP. IMO

Why?

.

[Tx Oriole]

I know for a fact that Brian wants to start but is playing "good soldier" in keeping mum and putting a positive spin on pitching to one batter or

one inning. I talked to someone VERY close to Brian and he said that is still Brian's dream (as you would expect).

I asked if Brian's new found confidence and ability was an adjustment made by Rick Peterson or Rick Adair, and this person just said 'Brian studies

video intensely and found his flaw when he was sent down a year ago."

He may still give up a HR or have an occasional bad inning, but he's a different pitcher than he was in his "blue period" last year. He's stronger,

smarter, and more technically sound. And yes, of course, he's FAR more valuable as a starter than as a situational reliever IF the Orioles would

give him a shot.

Think about the Orioles need right now. Is it to be a solid if not dominant starter or to get out a left handed batter in the 8th inning?To me, it's a no

brainer. He's the only real young arm with PROVEN success on the MLB level, even if it's also true that he struggled mightily and historically when

he wasnt in shape or was slightly off mechanically.Besides, if it doesnt work out, he can go back to his old role.

But why mess with what has been successful? He may want to start but real value is in the BP. IMO

[Frobby]

Some Matusz stats I like:

- The first batter he faces is hitting .059 off him.

- With two strikes, opponents are hitting .107.

- RHB are hitting .174, so he's not restricted to LOOGY work, though he's deadly vs. LHB (.111 average).

- Batters are 0 for 11 in RISP situations.

[waroriole]

But why mess with what has been successful? He may want to start but real value is in the BP. IMO

Because he's going to be expensive for a relief pitcher.

[Mr Snuffleupagus]

But why mess with what has been successful? He may want to start but real value is in the BP. IMO

But are you really messing with it that badly? I mean, if he starts a couple games, gets lit up and proves (one last time), that he's not an effective starter, has that really precluded him from being effective in the bullpen again?

Patton is a great lefty specialist. I don't think we'd really be leaving a big hole in the bullpen, as least not as big as the hole we currently have in our rotation.