Left-handed reliever Brian Matusz's eight-game suspension for having an alleged "foreign substance" on his right forearm was upheld Friday, according to an industry source.
Matusz had his appeal heard before Wednesday's game in Houston, and the Orioles were optimistic that the penalty would be reduced if not overturned, especially since there wasn't anything discernible on Matusz's arm. The team said rosin created a stickiness on Matusz's arm.
Even more alarming to the Orioles was the fact that Milwaukee Brewers reliever Will Smith had his suspension reduced from eight games to six. Major League Baseball does not comment on appeals, but it is believed that the fact that Smith pitched in more games (25) than Matusz (17) played a role in the reduction.