Cause of death revealed for former MLB phenom Brian Matusz, 37

It is believed that former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz died of a drug overdose, according to a Phoenix police report obtained by the Baltimore Banner.

Matusz was found dead in his home by his mother, Elizabeth, on Jan. 6. He had a white substance in his mouth with drug paraphernalia on the floor next to him.

Elizabeth told police that Brian, 37, had a history of drug abuse and recently made comments like “there is nothing left for me.”

She took the one-time pitching phenom to the emergency room on Jan. 4.

Though the reason why she had taken him is redacted in the report — per the Banner — he was advised to get help from a mental health professional.

Elizabeth took Brian to the Banner Behavioral Health Hospital in Scottsdale later that day but he was not admitted, according to the police report.

The police are continuing a death investigation and further details of the case have been withheld due at the behest of the family.

Matusz grew up in the Phoenix area and became a top MLB pitching prospect while starring at the University of San Diego.

The Orioles selected Matusz with the No. 4 pick in the 2008 MLB Draft.

While the lefty showed flashes, he never reached the potential Baltimore saw in him. Over nine seasons, Matusz went 27-41 with a 4.92 ERA.

He last pitched in the major leagues in 2016 with the Cubs.

Matusz made a comeback attempt in 2019 with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.

Elizabeth told police that Matusz recently talked about how he used to “have it all.”

Former Oriole Jerry Hairston Jr. became friends with Matusz after both retired, with each living in Arizona.

Hairston talked to the Banner about the challenges of facing life post-retirement, especially at a young age like Matusz was doing.

“It’s so hard for players,” Hairston told the paper before the cause of death was known. “I don’t care who you are and I don’t care how much money you have, when you are so used to having a schedule all your life since you were 8, 9, 10 years old playing baseball and then it just abruptly ends, you are trying to figure out what is your purpose in life.

“What am I going to do the next 30, 40, 50 years of my life? I know he was at least excited about that challenge. For his life to be cut short at 37 years of age, it’s just shocking. I was crushed. … The matter of fact he’s gone, he just passed away. The world lost an incredible human being.”