Sad Details Emerge Following Death of Ex-Cubs Pitcher

According to a police report, ex-Cubs pitcher Brian Matusz likely passed away at the age of 37 because of a drug overdose.

Matusz, who spent most of his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, last appeared in the big leagues with the Cubs during the 2016 season. Matusz was found dead by his mother at his home in Arizona on Jan. 6, according to a police report.

Via The Baltimore Banner.

Matusz, 37, was found dead in his Arizona home on Jan. 6 by his mother, Elizabeth, who went to his house to check on him. After he didn’t answer the door, she entered through a bathroom window and found Brian on his back on the couch in the upstairs loft, cold to the touch with a white substance in his mouth, according to the report. A lighter, straw and a small square of aluminum foil, paraphernalia sometimes used to inhale drugs such as fentanyl, heroin and crack cocaine, were found on the floor near Matusz’s right hand.

According to the police report, Matusz was taken to the emergency room two days prior to his death after making concerning comments such as, "there is nothing left for me,” and that he used to “have it all.” His mother took him to the Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, but he was not admitted.

Matusz did have a history of substance use, but the specifics were redacted from the police report. He had been clean for approximately eight months, Matusz's mother told police.

Cubs fans will remember Matusz from his brief time on the 2016 team. The left-handed pitcher made one appearance with the Cubs, starting on Sunday Night Baseball against the Seattle Mariners on July 31, 2016, which has since been fondly remembered as the Brian Matusz game.

As it turned out, his start with the Cubs in 2016, was the left-hander's final appearance in MLB. Matusz pitched in the majors from 2008-2016.

Very sad to hear that former #orioles pitcher Brian Matusz passed away this morning. Was 37. 4th-overall pick in 2008 draft.

— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) January 8, 2025

Matusz was drafted fourth overall by the Baltimore Orioles in 2008, after a great college career at the University of San Diego. The lefty made his MLB debut during the 2009 season and in 2010 Matusz finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting after posting a 4.30 ERA in 32 starts with the Orioles.

The Orioles eventually moved Matusz to the bullpen following a couple down years in the rotation and he responded by giving Baltimore three very good seasons as a reliever. From 2013-15, Matusz pitched to a 3.32 ERA, making at least 58 appearances in each of those three years.

In 2016, the Orioles traded Matusz to the Atlanta Braves, who released him shortly after. The Cubs eventually signed Matusz to a minor league deal and called him up to fill in as an emergency starter at the end of July.

Including the comeback victory over the Mariners in Matusz's lone start with the Cubs, the team won 11 in a row beginning with his appearance.

Good morning. In case you missed it, last night was pretty awesome.

July 31, 2016 - The Comeback #Cubs pic.twitter.com/75PjvejJEj

— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) August 1, 2016

Unfortunately Matusz had a poor showing in that game and was DFA'd by the Cubs. He cleared waivers and ended the season pitching at Triple-A for the Iowa Cubs. Despite only pitching in one game for the 2016 team, Matusz was given a World Series ring.

Matusz finished his professional baseball career with a stint at Triple-A with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017, as well as time in Mexico and in the Atlantic League in 2019.

By all accounts Matusz was a great human being to his teammates and fans. Only 37-years-old, such sad news for his loved ones.