PLAYING TIME: Rotation spots open in ARI, BAL, SEA

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Matusz demoted

After his fifth straight loss July 1, all but one of which was a PQS-DIS, Brian Matusz (LHP, BAL) was demoted immediately to Triple-A Norfolk. The hope is that Matusz will regain his confidence and be able to sustain for longer periods the type of promise he has periodically shown, most recently this past May, when he posted a 4-2 record, 4.01 xERA and 85 BPV. Things had gone south for Matusz in June, however, with a 1-4, 5.11 xERA and 13 BPV showing.

Steve Johnson (RHP, BAL) was called up to take Matusz's spot on the roster, though it was not immediately clear whether he would fill in for Matusz in the rotation. At Norfolk, Johnson had struck out just over a batter an inning (63 K in 62 2/3 IP)...

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