To say the 2011 Baltimore Orioles had a disappointing season would be an understatement. Although no one was picking the Birds to win the AL East, most people thought that they would take a step towards a .500 record. For the 14th straight year, that didn’t happen.

There was tragedy off the field with the death of Mike Flanagan and it looks like the Andy MacPhail era is coming to an end in the front office.

All wasn’t terrible for the Orioles, however. Adam Jones, Matt Weiters and J.J. Hardy, among others, all had fine seasons.

To close out the year, the Birds helped eliminate the Boston Red Sox from the postseason contention.

But, to me, the story of 2011 was the dramatic decline of pitcher Brian Matusz.

Matusz, the Orioles first-round pick 2008, finished the 2010 season with a 7-1 record and looked like he was ready to emerge as one of the top left-handed starters in the AL.

Hopes were high for him.

Unfortunately, this season turned out to be an absolute disaster for Matusz.

He started the year on the DL and missed two months. When he did return, he was horrible.

Plagued by a loss of velocity and poor location, Matusz finished 2011 with a 1-9 record and his 10.69 ERA was the worst ever by a starting pitcher with 10 or more starts in a season.

Matusz himself admitted that he wasn’t in the best of shape and his perfomance helped prove that.

The loss of pace off his fastball has everyone baffled. Both the Orioles and Matusz say that he isn’t hurt.

The 86 MPH heater says otherwise.

Whatever the reason, both sides need to figure out a way to fix the problems. This is the future ace of the staff we’re talking about.

Over the course of one year, Brian Matusz has gone from the stud of your rotation to a giant question mark moving forward.

That is unaccepable.

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The Toronto Blue Jays have activated pitcher Carlos Villanueva from the 15-day disabled list and demoted relief pitcher Brian Tallet. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays designated left-handed pitcher Brian Tallet for assignment one day after he blew a save against the Baltimore Orioles.

The move came Wednesday to create roster space for righty Carlos Villanueva, who returned from the 15-day disabled list.

The 27-year-old had been out with a right forearm strain since Aug. 4.

Villanueva has a 6-3 record and 4.24 earned-run average in 26 games for the Blue Jays this season.

On Tuesday night, Tallet allowed a walk-off single by Orioles second baseman Ryan Adams in the 10th inning of a 6-5 loss.

That was his first appearance since sitting out 10 weeks with a right ribcage injury that was brought on by a hard sneeze.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Brian Matusz throws in the third inning Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. (Ted S. Warren/Associated Press)

The Baltimore Orioles activated starter Brian Matusz off the 15-day disabled list in time to make his season debut Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners.

Matusz lasted 5 2-3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out three.

The left-hander had been on the disabled list since March 30 with a strained left intercostal muscle. He made three rehab starts in the minors, allowing two earned runs on nine hits while striking out 10 in 15 innings.

Matusz has tied a career high with a six-game winning streak that dates to last season.

He was 10-12 with a 4.30 earned-run average in 32 starts in 2010. Matusz was 6-0 with a 1.57 ERA over his final eight starts. Baltimore won all eight games.

To make room on the roster, the Orioles designated utility man Jake Fox for assignment.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Brian Matusz throws in the third inning Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. (Ted S. Warren/Associated Press)

The Baltimore Orioles activated starter Brian Matusz off the 15-day disabled list in time to make his season debut Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners.

Matusz lasted 5 2-3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out three.

The left-hander had been on the disabled list since March 30 with a strained left intercostal muscle. He made three rehab starts in the minors, allowing two earned runs on nine hits while striking out 10 in 15 innings.

Matusz has tied a career high with a six-game winning streak that dates to last season.

He was 10-12 with a 4.30 earned-run average in 32 starts in 2010. Matusz was 6-0 with a 1.57 ERA over his final eight starts. Baltimore won all eight games.

To make room on the roster, the Orioles designated utility man Jake Fox for assignment.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 2 (UPI) — Brian Roberts blasted a three-run homer in the eighth inning Saturday and the Baltimore Orioles bested Tampa Bay 3-1.

The Orioles’ Chris Tillman tossed six hitless innings in an emergency start necessitated when scheduled pitcher Brian Matusz was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained intercostal muscle.

Tillman notched five strikeouts and allowed three walks while Jeremy Accardo (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless seventh inning.

James Shields (0-1) pitched well but was tagged with the loss for Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out seven over 7 1/3 innings.

Manny Ramirez drove in the Rays’ only run.

Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria was removed from the game with a sore left oblique.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 2 (UPI) — Brian Roberts blasted a three-run homer in the eighth inning Saturday and the Baltimore Orioles bested Tampa Bay 3-1.

The Orioles’ Chris Tillman tossed six hitless innings in an emergency start necessitated when scheduled pitcher Brian Matusz was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained intercostal muscle.

Tillman notched five strikeouts and allowed three walks while Jeremy Accardo (1-0) picked up the win with a scoreless seventh inning.

James Shields (0-1) pitched well but was tagged with the loss for Tampa Bay, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out seven over 7 1/3 innings.

Manny Ramirez drove in the Rays’ only run.

Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria was removed from the game with a sore left oblique.