It is believed that former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz died of a drug overdose, according to a Phoenix police report obtained by the Baltimore Banner.
Matusz was found dead in his home by his mother, Elizabeth, on Jan. 6. He had a white substance in his mouth with drug paraphernalia on the floor next to him.
Elizabeth told police that Brian, 37, had a history of drug abuse and recently made comments like “there is nothing left for me.”
She took the one-time pitching phenom to the emergency room on Jan. 4. Though the reason why she had taken him is redacted in the report — per the Banner — he was advised to get help from a mental health professional.
Elizabeth took Brian to the Banner Behavioral Health Hospital in Scottsdale later that day but he was not admitted, according to the police report.
Matusz grew up in the Phoenix area and became a top MLB pitching prospect while starring at the University of San Diego.
The Orioles selected Matusz with the No. 4 pick in the 2008 MLB Draft.
While the lefty showed flashes, he never reached the potential Baltimore saw in him. Over nine seasons, Matusz went 27-41 with a 4.92 ERA.
He last pitched in the major leagues in 2016 with the Cubs.
Matusz made a comeback attempt in 2019 with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.
