How long before we give Matusz another shot?

[webbrick2010]

At 2 million +, he won't be back next year as a relief pitcher.

I think if the O's still thought he had starter stuff he would have been in the rotation out of Spring Training.

I don't think he has starter stuff or/especially starter stamina. He's good for an inning

[foxfield]

But he's shown he's bad as a starter, hasn't he? Shouldn't we use Brian where he's successful regardless of salary?

On the first question: Yes, this is true, but you are making the leap that he is successful BECAUSE he became a reliever. I do not believe that is the case. He has certainly carved out a spot for himself where he has been successful but it remains to be seen if his success could transfer back to being a starter. In regards to the second question: Yes use him where it works regardless of salary, but the point is valid that there may be a time that he is deemed to expensive to keep in the pen. We did let Reynolds and Joe Saunders walk largely due to money.

I think it is very likely that Brian may well be better suited to stay in the pen. But I do think the call to see otherwise is going to grow if our starter troubles continue. I mean that was kinda the point of stockpiling arms.

[canonfaz]

Maybe bring him in in a few long relief roles and see how he does for 2+ innings to try to stretch him out some. Somewhere along the line Matusz lost his changeup, if he can find that pitch again, then he could be a valuable starter. Without it though, I don't think he has the stamina to do what he does in the rotation like he does out of the pen.

[Mr Snuffleupagus]

But he's shown he's bad as a starter, hasn't he?Shouldn't we use Brian where he's successful regardless of salary?

I subscribe to the "he's a different pitcher" theory. The Brian Matusz that failed as a starter would have also failed as a RP. He's clearly made some changes. Whether or not they translate to a SP... I don't know, but wouldn't mind finding out.

[atomic]

Matusz isn't a starter. He is fine as a left-handed specialist. Why move him from something he does well to something he is unable to do? I guess if you desire is to lose as many games as possible moving Matusz to starter makes sense.

[vab]

If they can find somebody to take his role in the bullpen it might be worth a shot but I'd leave well-enough alone. At least we're getting something out of this guy now.

[srock]

Given the options available for spot starts, I think MacFarland is the next man up. But Matusz should be after him.

Jurrjens isn't ready.

Garcia is already in the rotation at this point, as is Steve Johnson, but who know how long on either of them.

Britton and Arrieta had there shot, they are at the back of the line.

Wada is a wild card, lets see a couple starts at Norfolk, if he is competent, he goes to the front of the line.

Gausman is a wild card. I think they want to keep him at Bowie until after the break, but he could force the issue.

At some point, Tommy Hunter should see how many inning he can handle throwing like he does of the pen.

[accinfo]

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.

It couldn't have been said better then that. This guy many people would be a TOR. Now is the time to find out when we have so many injuries. I believe he has to be better then Garcia, and anyone at AAA. Maybe not better then Gausman but that is a different story.

[crowmst3k!]

I'd go with Matusz as a starter if Buck decides to look the other way RE: TTTP. He was plenty effective before the emphasis and the eventual intercostal strain. Let Matusz be the one guy where the running game might get away from you, but you still keep most hitters off of 1st base.

[crowmst3k!]

Also, if you're going to stretch Matusz out, I'm not sure what the best venue for that would be: Long relief or Norfolk.

[El Gordo]

Tommy Hunter is a different pitcher out of the pen too. Anybody want to start him again? I would consider starting Matusz, only after I had tried Jurrjens, Wada, Johnson again, maybe Brittin and Arrieta if they have been lights out at Norfolk, and if I thought Gausman wasn't ready.

[Mr Snuffleupagus]

Tommy Hunter is a different pitcher out of the pen too. Anybody want to start him again? I would consider starting Matusz, only after I had tried Jurrjens, Wada, Johnson again, maybe Brittin and Arrieta if they have been lights out at Norfolk, and if I thought Gausman wasn't ready.

Tommy Hunter gained 7mph+ on his fastball out of the pen. I think they're different cases. Sure, there are a lot more David Hernandez's then there are Derek Lowes, but I think before you let him walk next season, and while we're short on options, now is the time to give it a shot. There's plenty of time to put him back in a relief role if things fail. I agree he's below Wada (if healthy) but that is yet to be proven.

[waroriole]

But he's shown he's bad as a starter, hasn't he? Shouldn't we use Brian where he's successful regardless of salary?

It may come down to him being a SP or DFA bc they won't want to pay that much for a bullpen arm.

[Frobby]

I'd go with Matusz as a starter if Buck decides to look the other way RE: TTTP. He was plenty effective before the emphasis and the eventual intercostal strain. Let Matusz be the one guy where the running game might get away from you, but you still keep most hitters off of 1st base.

TTTP is no longer an issue for Matusz. Last year, only 5 runners attempted to steal on him in 98 IP, and 3 were thrown out. That includes his time as a starter. This year, runners are 0 for 1.

[El Gordo]

Tommy Hunter gained 7mph+ on his fastball out of the pen. I think they're different cases. Sure, there are a lot more David Hernandez's then there are Derek Lowes, but I think before you let him walk next season, and while we're short on options, now is the time to give it a shot. There's plenty of time to put him back in a relief role if things fail. I agree he's below Wada (if healthy) but that is yet to be proven.

Why is now the time.? If we don't look at Jurrjens and Wada now, we have to ley them walk by mid June. Why are you so certain Matusz will be more effective than either of those two? We aren't short on options yet. By my count we have 4 or 5 yet before we need to think about Matusz.