SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz, who is dealing with a strained lower back, said Saturday it will probably be one-to-two weeks before he's cleared to resume full activity.
"I got an MRI [on Thursday] and initially the consensus was there was a bone bruise on three different ribs," Matusz said. "Dr. [Derek] Papp took a look at the MRI, and there's just some inflammation in there around the ribs. A strain of the serratus."
Matusz first felt something while throwing his second bullpen session, but he figured it was just regular early spring soreness. The left-hander had right shoulder surgery during the offseason and wasn't sure if there was any correlation with this injury.
"It was a little bit sore, but I was still able to pitch and kept going, and it was one of those things that, instead of getting better, it got worse and, after the outing the other day, I think it was Wednesday, I was in some pain," Matusz said. "So, I approached the trainers and fortunately the trainers and [manager] Buck [Showalter] recommended getting an MRI. And I'm glad that with their recommendation we were able to get an MRI sooner rather than later."
Matusz said the injury only bothers him when throwing full-speed, and his timeline will be based off how quickly he responds to treatment.
"Obviously, we're going to be cautious, and the goal is to be ready for the start of the season but also be careful and make sure that it's 100 percent healed," Matusz said. "But the trainers have said it all depends on the symptoms and how I feel."