Matusz probably Bowie-bound

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

May 17, 2011, 8:12am

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Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz will most likely make his second injury rehab start Saturday at Double-A Bowie. The club also considered Triple-A Norfolk, but it appears that Matusz will take the mound at Prince George's Stadium for a 6:35 p.m. game against Erie. Last night, Matusz allowed one run and two hits, with two walks and two strikeouts, in four innings at Single-A Frederick. He threw 60 pitches, 37 for strikes. The Orioles want to extend Matusz to 75-80 pitches Saturday. They'll decide afterward whether he makes a third start with an affiliate or is activated from the disabled list. Matusz was scratched from his April 2 start at Tropicana Field and placed on the DL with a strained left intercostal. He remains pain-free and encouraged by his progress, though he noted last night that his fastball command was lacking. I also wanted to alert you that Harmon Killebrew passed away this morning at his Scottsdale, AZ. home after a lengthy battle with esophageal cancer. He was 74. Killebrew released a statement through the Hall of Fame on Friday saying that his illness had progressed beyond his doctors' expectation of cure.