Brian Matusz's fastball velocity was reportedly "even lower than it had been while he was pitching in the big leagues" when he made his first start for Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

That's quite alarming considering Matusz's average fastball was hitting just 86.7 miles per hour before his demotion. Matusz still has a bright future, but 2011 is looking lost for the young left-hander.

Brian Matusz struggled Tuesday in his first start since being demoted to Triple-A Norfolk, giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings.

He also surrendered a pair of home runs. Matusz posted an 8.77 ERA in six starts for the Orioles before being optioned and it's clear that he's yet to fix whatever issues that are plaguing him. He'll remain in Norfolk indefinitely.

Orioles optioned LHP Brian Matusz to Triple-A Norfolk.

Matusz was torched for eight earned runs in just 3 1/3 innings Thursday against the Cardinals and will head to the minor leagues having surrendered 25 earned runs in 25 1/3 total major league frames this season. The velocity of his fastball has dipped nearly 4 mph since his strong finish in 2010 and his breaking stuff isn't breaking like it used to. There's clearly something wrong.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has indicated that the struggling Brian Matusz will remain in the rotation.

"It seems like a lot of balls squared up off him when he's kind of down sometimes," Showalter said. "It looks like he's getting some outs up. I've seen him when he's good, and he has good command of the fastball. Really all his pitches. Like I said, we'll keep working, trying to get back to that status." When asked if Matusz can regain that "status" in the majors, Showalter said, "that's what the plan is." Matusz has posted a 6.85 ERA over his first five starts. He obviously can't be trusted right now, but he has loads of talent and we expect him to eventually right the ship.

Brian Matusz was shelled again, allowing six earned runs in four-plus innings Saturday to the Reds.

Matusz looked strong in his 2011 debut on June 1 and also had a nice second start, but it's been all downhill from there. The Orioles are committed to letting him figure it out in the majors, but that could change if the current trend continues. He will take on the Braves next week.

Brian Matusz will have his next start pushed back a day to Saturday, with Chris Jakubauskas getting the ball on Friday.

The move is being made in order to split up left-handers Zach Britton, who will start Wednesday, and Matusz. It's unclear who will start on Sunday, as the O's are considering pushing back or skipping Jake Arrieta. If they do, Jeremy Guthrie will get the ball.

Updating a previous item, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports that the Orioles are considering giving Brian Matusz another day of rest and starting Chris Jakubauskas in place of Brian Matusz (hamstring) on Friday against the Reds.

Matusz said earlier in the day Monday that he was feeling "100 percent," but it sounds like they don't want to take any chances. If Jakubauskas does indeed get the ball Friday, Matusz could be pushed back to Saturday or perhaps even Sunday. Stay tuned.

Brian Matusz (hamstring) said Monday that he feels "100 percent" and will start Friday against the Reds.

Good news. Matusz said Sunday that he was a little sore, but that's apparently no longer an issue. The young left-hander has a disappointing 5.60 ERA and 11/9 K/BB ratio over his first three outings since returning from a strained intercostal muscle that cost him the first two months of the season.

Brian Matusz left Saturday's outing in the sixth inning due to cramping in his left hamstring.

It appears that the Orioles dodged a bullet here. Matusz didn't look good while coming off the field, but it doesn't sound like it's anything that will keep him out long. The O's are listing him as day-to-day, but we should know more about his status by Sunday, at the latest.

Brian Matusz yielded one run in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Mariners in his season debut.

The Orioles sure got him out of there quickly, pulling him after a Mark Reynolds error put a man on with two outs in the sixth. Matusz allowed four hits, walked none and struck out three in the 84-pitch outing. It's not easy for Orioles pitchers to accrue a lot of fantasy value, but Matusz should be pretty good.

Orioles activated LHP Brian Matusz from the 15-day disabled list.

As expected, Matusz will make his season debut Wednesday against the Mariners. The young southpaw was very solid over three minor league rehab starts, posting a 1.20 ERA and 10/4 K/BB ratio over 15 innings. He had plenty of momentum coming into the season, so he should be owned in most mixed leagues.

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) allowed one run on four hits and one walk in five innings of work in his final rehab outing for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

He struck out seven, and threw 83 pitches. Barring something unforeseen happening, Matusz should make his 2011 debut on Wednesday when the Orioles take on the Mariners in Seattle. You could be best off keeping him benched for one week in your weekly league, though facing the Mariners in Seattle is about as favorable of a matchup as one could hope for coming off the disabled list.

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) is expected to make one more rehab start before being activated from the disabled list.

Matusz looked ready after spinning six shutout innings at Double-A Bowie Saturday, but the Orioles apparently want him to get in one more outing. He'll throw a bullpen session Tuesday before starting at an undetermined minor league affiliate later this week. Matusz will rejoin the O's rotation in early June.

Brian Matusz tossed six scoreless innings Saturday in a rehab start in Double-A Bowie.

It was his final rehab outing and he looked good enough to gain clearance for a Friday return. The lefty should be added in fantasy leagues where he's available.

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) could rejoin the Orioles by as early as next Friday.

He'll be making his second minor-league rehab appearance on Saturday, this time for Double-A Bowie. Were he to actually be activated next Friday, he would presumably start against the A's in Oakland next weekend. Matusz is coming off a season that saw him go 7-3 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 14 starts after the All-Star break.

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) allowed one run on two hits over four innings Monday in his first minor league rehab start with High-A Frederick.

Matusz threw 37 out of 60 pitches for strikes while walking two and striking out two. He wasn't happy with the command of his fastball, but the results weren't too bad considering the rust against live competition. If all goes well during his next rehab start Saturday, the Orioles could activate him as soon as next Thursday against the Royals.

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) will make at least two minor league rehab starts.

The first will come Monday at Single-A and the second will take place on May 21 at Triple-A Norfolk. As long as both outings go smoothly, the left-handed Matusz should be ready to make his regular season debut on May 26.

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) is scheduled to start Saturday in extended spring training.

Matusz was cleared for the start after throwing 30 pitches in the bullpen and 20 more to live hitters on Wednesday. He will likely go on a minor league rehab assignment following Saturday's outing. We're hoping for a return later this month.

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) will have a 30-pitch side session Wednesday and then throw 20 pitches to hitters.

Assuming that goes well, he'll make a start in extended spring training Saturday. He'll either have another spring game after that or begin a minor league rehab assignment. Assuming he has no setbacks, he should be ready by mid-May.

Brian Matusz (intercostal strain) throw two to three innings in an extended spring training game May 7, followed by another spring game or a couple more rehab starts.

If all of that goes well, that puts him in line to return to the Orioles rotation in about three weeks. "He's got his schedule, he knows it, each day what he's doing down there. There's two dates if he stays on schedule that he could be there for us," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "We've already tweaked it once or twice, but as long as he makes those goals physically, we can adjust it, but not until he gets a couple innings under his belt. I wouldn't say you are starting over, but he hasn't had a ball in his hand for over four weeks, so you got to build his arm strength back up."