Brian Matusz losing grip on rotation battle

Orioles rotation candidate Brian Matusz got his chance to state his case for manager Buck Showalter in a Grapefruit League start Sunday against the Pirates. Staked to an 8-0 lead before he even stepped foot on the mound, Matusz did not put his best foot forward against the Pirates.

Matusz completed just four innings as he surrendered five runs on nine hits and a walk. He allowed a two-run home run to Andrew McCutchen in the first inning and only pitched one clean frame. Matusz threw 67 pitches and 46 went for strikes as he struck out two batters. His struggles came against the same team that Jake Arrieta pitched well against Thursday.

With Matusz's ability and experience as a left-handed specialist in the bullpen, the scales now seem to tip heavily in favor of Arrieta winning the No. 5 rotation spot. Of course, Steve Johnson and Jair Jurrjens remain in the running and Showalter has not officially ruled Matusz out yet, either.