Medical update on Brian Matusz

Orioles reliever Brian Matusz underwent a successful medical procedure yesterday on his right shoulder and has returned home to Arizona.

Matusz stayed back in Baltimore and had arthroscopic surgery to repair the AC joint, allowing him to get a head start on his recovery.

Ravens physician Dr. Leigh Ann Curl also cleaned out about a centimeter worth of arthritic bone in the shoulder.

"Everything went great and just as planned. On the road to recovery," Matusz said in a text message.

"From my understanding it was pretty basic and simple. I should be good as new in about a month or so."

It's important to stress that the surgery took place on Matusz's non-throwing shoulder. He was able to pitch through the discomfort this season, which resurfaced shortly after the All-Star break.

Matusz received a cortisone injection in the shoulder in spring training. It wore off early in the second half and he restructured his workouts.

Matusz usually relaxes the first month following the season, so his routine won't be disrupted.

In 58 appearances this season, Matusz went 1-4 with a 2.94 ERA and 1.184 WHIP over 49 innings. Left-handers batted .186 against him and right-handers batted .244.

After posting a 1.69 ERA in 14 August appearances, including 16 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings, Matusz went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in 12 games over the final month of the season. He allowed five runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, and surrendered two of his five home runs.

For the season, Matusz permitted 15 of 42 inherited runners to score.

Matusz, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft, made $3.2 million and is arbitration-eligible again this winter before finally reaching free agency. The Orioles must decide whether to tender him a contract.

Though he'd like to be a starter again, Matusz has expressed a desire to remain with the Orioles.