Brian Matusz.Photo:Matt Hazlett/Getty

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 1: Brian Matusz #17 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 1, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland

Matt Hazlett/Getty

Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz is dead. He was 37.

The Orioles, with whom Matusz played from 2009 until 2016, announced his death in astatementon Tuesday, Jan. 7.

“Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole Brian Matusz,” the statement began.

“A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched,” the statement continued. “He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face.”

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According to Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN)’s Roch Kubatko,Matusz died Tuesday morning. A cause of death has not been released.

Brian Matusz during a game on May 17, 2016.Maddie Meyer/Getty

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 17: Brian Matusz #17 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning on May 17, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Maddie Meyer/Getty

He capped off his collegiate career as a two-time finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, the school’s all-time leader in strikeouts (396), and winning the West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2008.

Matusz was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, making his MLB debut in August 2009.

PerMLB, he pitched in 280 regular season games throughout his career, starting in 69 of them. He also pitched for two Orioles' Postseason teams (2012 and 2014), making seven total postseason appearances.His overall ERA was 4.92.

Brian Matusz during a game on July 31, 2016.Nancy Stone/getty

Cubs pitcher Brian Matusz throws in the second inning as the Chicago Cubs face the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill

Nancy Stone/getty

He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in May 2016, and released a week later, per theMLB. He then signed with the Cubs, where he started for one game.

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Matsuz spent 2017 pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks' Triple-A team in Reno, according to MLB. He also made a start in the Mexican League before finishing his pro baseball career with the Long Island Ducks in 2019.

source: people.com