Brian Matusz will have a wart removed Tuesday in Philadelphia and may need a few days of rest.

It's nothing that should affect his status for Opening Day. Matusz found success in the Orioles' bullpen last year and will begin 2014 in a lefty specialist role.

Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun believes that Brian Matusz will remain in the Orioles bullpen for the upcoming 2014 season.

While the 26-year-old southpaw has made it clear that he would prefer to start, and will get an opportunity to compete for a rotation spot in spring training, he is likely to wind up back in the bullpen purely out of necessity. With Troy Patton serving a 25-game suspension to begin the season, Matusz finds himself as the lone left-hander in the pen. He was extremely successful in the role in 2013, holding left-handed hitters to a .168 average.

Orioles avoided arbitration with LHP Brian Matusz by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million contract.

It was Matusz's first year of arbitration eligibility. The southpaw reliever fared well in his first full season in the bullpen, posting a 3.53 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 51 frames.

The Orioles will let Brian Matusz compete for a spot in the rotation in spring training.

Matusz appears to have found a home in the bullpen, but he wants to be a starter and the O's will give him that chance. "I know how much it means to Brian Matusz to be a starter," manager Buck Showalter said. "We know that we're going to go into spring giving Brian the opportunity to start." Matusz holds a career 5.51 ERA as a starter and a 3.08 mark as a reliever. Ultimately, he's likely to wind up back in the bullpen.

Brian Matusz holds a 2.92 ERA and 12/3 K/BB ratio over 12 1/3 relief innings this season.

The Orioles haven't dismissed the possibility of Matusz going back to starting, but he's really found a home in the bullpen. Since moving to the 'pen late last season, the left-hander boasts a 2.10 ERA and 31/6 K/BB ratio over 25 2/3 frames. He'll continue to be the primary left-handed setup man ahead of closer Jim Johnson.

Brian Matusz has been informed by manager Buck Showalter that he has earned a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day bullpen.

Matusz entered the spring hoping to earn a spot in the starting rotation, but was thoroughly out-pitched by Jake Arrieta. While he'll begin the season as the long-relief option in the bullpen, he won't hold much fantasy value unless an injury strikes and he's inserted into the rotation.

Brian Matusz surrendered five runs in four innings Sunday in a no-decision versus the Pirates.

Andrew McCutchen homered off him. Matusz was probably doomed in the rotation competition as soon as Jake Arrieta had his strong outing Thursday. He should be an asset to the Orioles out of the pen, but he doesn't figure to have any fantasy value there.

Brian Matusz pitched five innings of one-run ball Tuesday in the Orioles' 8-7 defeat of the Red Sox.

With a 2.40 ERA and a 13/3 K/BB ratio in 15 innings, Matusz is pitching well enough to win a rotation spot. However, he has a big handicap in that he's better suited to contribute out of the bullpen than the rest of Baltimore's fifth-starter candidates. We still think that's where he'll end up.

Brian Matusz was terrific Wednesday, striking out seven over four hitless innings against the Twins.

Matusz allowed just one baserunner in the form of a Josh Willingham walk. The left-hander now holds a 2.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 11/2 K/BB ratio over his first 10 spring innings as he tries to convince the Orioles to give him another shot in the rotation. Of course, Matusz dazzled last spring and then was a disaster in the rotation before finding his groove in the bullpen. He's probably best suited as a reliever at this point.

Brian Matusz started and pitched two scoreless innings Monday in the Orioles' 5-1 defeat of the Yankees.

While it may be a mistake to give up on Matusz as a starter, the Orioles would probably be better off keeping him in the pen given their bevy of rotation candidates. He impressed there last year, amassing a 1.35 ERA in 18 appearances. A decision on his role is still a few weeks away.

Orioles avoided arbitration with LHP Brian Matusz by agreeing to a one-year, $1.6 million contract.

He can earn $100,000 more in incentives. Matusz, who was a first-time arbitration-eligible player, posted a 1.35 ERA with well over a strikeout per inning as a reliever in 2012 and will likely be used in the same role in 2013.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles are close to avoiding arbitration with Brian Matusz.

The details of the deal aren't yet known. Matusz, who is in his first year of arbitration, will compete for a rotation spot in spring training but will likely wind up in the bullpen. He posted a 1.35 ERA with well over a strikeout per inning as a reliever in 2012.

Brian Matusz underwent surgery last month to repair a torn muscle in his abdomen.

Matusz pitched with the injury for the final three months of the regular season. He should be fine by the start of spring training, and will enter camp with a shot at claiming a spot in the Orioles' starting rotation.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Brian Matusz will be used as a starter in spring training next season.

It's possible he'll move back to the bullpen for the regular season, as Showatler is doing it mainly to build up Matusz's innings. While it's probably too early to give up on the left-hander as a starter, there's no denying that he's been a different pitcher in relief. He posted a 1.35 ERA with well over a strikeout per inning out of the bullpen this season and a 5.42 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in relief.

Brian Matusz had to go to the emergency room Tuesday's night after experiencing an allergic reaction.

It's not clear what brought on the reaction, but the good news is that he's fine now and is available to pitch Wednesday if needed. Matusz has been terrific since returning to the O's late last month as a reliever, posting a 1.80 ERA and 14/1 K/BB ratio over 10 innings.

Orioles recalled LHP Brian Matusz from Triple-A Norfolk.

Sent to Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen on August 14, it appears Matusz will pitch out of the 'pen for the Orioles. He's returning to a rough 5.42 ERA and 1.71 WHIP, but was slightly better in the minors, turning in a 4.21 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 47 innings. Lefties are .223/.281/.384 lifetime against Matusz, so the O's are clearly hoping he'll prove valuable as a "LOOGY" down the stretch.

Orioles GM Dan Duquette said Wednesday that he still views Brian Matusz as a starter long term.

Matusz was recently shifted to the bullpen at Triple-A Norfolk, but his role could change by the end of this season depending on how he fares in relief. The O's do like his splits against left-handed batters and could bring him back up as a lefty specialist for the stretch run if things are going well down on the farm.

Brian Matusz didn't make his scheduled start for Triple-A Norfolk Sunday due to hip flexor tightness.

The good news is that he was able to complete a bullpen session Tuesday without any issues and is all set to start Friday. Matusz has posted a 3.75 ERA and 18/7 K/BB ratio over 36 innings for Norfolk since his demotion.

Brian Matusz is not a candidate to start Wednesday in place of the injured Jason Hammel (knee).

Matusz spun a shutout in his first start for Triple-A Norfolk, and the O's have decided they want him to continue to work on things before being called back up. Tommy Hunter is likely to get the call Wednesday.

The Orioles are expected to recall Brian Matusz if Jason Hammel is unable to make his next scheduled start.

Hammel underwent an MRI on his right knee Saturday, and there's concern he'll be placed on the disabled list. Matusz, who was demoted earlier this month, pitched a complete game shutout in his lone appearance at Triple-A Norfolk.