Brian Matusz

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz's roller-coaster season had landed him in Triple-A Norfolk last August, and he was walking along the city's harbor in the shadows of majestic naval battleships with his father, Mike. Days earlier, the Orioles left-hander was told that the organization was moving to the bullpen. He initially saw it as another demotion, and two relief appearances in, the results were unspectacular. He called home to Arizona and asked his father to visit him in Virginia.

TORONTO - Struggling left-hander Brian Matusz acknowledged Wednesday that he wasn't "mentally prepared" for the start of the season and that he lost confidence in himself after being asked to make mechanical changes that he wasn't comfortable making. "Obviously, coming in not prepared is pretty clear to everyone," Matusz said in a phone interview a day after he allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks in Triple-A Norfolk's loss to Toledo. "It wasn't necessarily that I wasn't physically prepared, but I wasn't mentally prepared.

Shortstop Yunel Escobar and second baseman Ryan Roberts hit back-to-back home runs off Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz in the fourth inning on Saturday as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Orioles, 4-1, at Charlotte Sports Park. Those were the only hits Matusz surrendered over two innings after coming on in relief of starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen, who needed just 23 pitches to complete two scoreless innings in his 2013 Grapefruit League debut. "[For my] spring debut this year, I feel pretty satisfied for today," Chen said through interpreter Tim Lin. The Orioles scored their only run of the game in the sixth inning when third baseman Manny Machado tripled off Rays pitcher Josh Lueke and outfielder Jason Pridie drove him home with a sharp single up the middle.

The Orioles brass had discussed the possibility of moving left-hander Brian Matusz to the bullpen for several days, but after left-handed reliever Troy Patton went on the disabled list with a sprined right ankle , the organization is in need of a left-handed reliever who has the capability of throwing multiple innings. Orioles manager Buck Showater said before Tuesday's series opener against the Red Sox that the Orioles are moving toward experimenting with making the 25-year-old Matusz a reliever.

CLEVELAND - First-round draft pick Brian Matusz spent yesterday in Baltimore taking a physical, as the Orioles and his agent continued to work toward a deal before tonight's deadline. The Orioles, who took the left-handed pitcher from the University of San Diego with the fourth overall pick in the June draft, have until midnight to reach an agreement. If they can't, they will forfeit the rights to Matusz and get a similar compensatory pick in next year's draft. However, it appears things won't get to that point.

It was about four hours before game time late last season, and Dave Trembley and Rick Kranitz were looking everywhere for their prized young pitcher. They searched the clubhouse, the training room, the dugout and even the seats at Camden Yards. When all those pursuits failed, Trembley called Brian Matusz's cell phone and got no answer. The Orioles' manager and pitching coach, as well as president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, wanted to meet with Matusz to tell him that his whirlwind season was officially over.

The Orioles have agreed to contract terms with right-hander Tommy Hunter on a one-year, $1.82 million deal. Hunter, 26, pitched in 33 games (20 starts for the Orioles), going 7-8 with a 5.45 ERA. He was more effective as a reliever, winning all three of his decisions while pitching to a 3.71 ERA. This was the first year of arbitration for Hunter, who made $493,500 in 2012. According to an industry source, the Orioles are also close to a deal with left-hander Brian Matusz, though it is not official.

Right-hander Jake Arrieta's demotion to the bullpen didn't last long. Arrieta will start tonight against the Pirates here at Camden Yards, as Orioles manager Buck Showalter decided to push scheduled starter Brian Matusz back two days after he bunted a ball off his nose before Tuesday's game. Arrieta, who has lost eight of his last nine starts, will work on normal rest, which made the decision easy for the Orioles. Arrieta was told he would start about four hours before the game.

BOSTON -- The Orioles traded veteran reliever Luis Ayala to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, receiving minor league left-handed reliever Chris Jones in return. But the move was less about unloading Ayala than it was allowing the Orioles the opportunity to keep Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland while moving to a seven-man bullpen. It lets the team go to back a four-man bench after playing short-handed since Saturday. The Orioles purchased the contract of outfielder Chris Dickerson from Triple-A Norfolk, and he replaced Ayala on the 40-man and 25-man rosters.

Here's a look at what's happening on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 WEATHER - High 92, Low 75. 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. NEWS - Baltimore City Council to discuss controversial dismissed-rape complaints. BUSINESS - Sinclair Broadcast Group to report Q2 earnings. SPORTS - The Orioles host the Los Angeles Angels. Game time is 7:05 p.m.. Brian Matusz (3-11) starts for the O's against Ervin Santana (10-7) for the Angels. FEATURES - Remember to check mobile.