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After 5 surgeries, righty learns to pitch with left arm

Five surgeries on a throwing arm is enough to end most pitching careers. For Michael Matusz, it just meant learning a new skill set. The sophomore at Woodbridge (N.J.) High School is a natural righty.

Matusz broke his right arm in kindergarten, just around the time he was starting to learn to play baseball. At that point, doctors diagnosed a bone cyst near his right elbow. Removing the cyst required five surgeries between first and fourth grades, according to MyCentralJersey.com reporter Greg Tufaro.

Throughout that time, Matusz learned to pitch, and completely fell in love with the game – but eventually doctors told him he'd have to make a change if he wanted to keep going with the sport.

“After (the surgeries) the doctors said I had to switch over, that I can’t throw with my (right) arm anymore,” said Matusz, who started throwing left-handed while playing catch with his father, Robert. “It was frustrating at first, but I love baseball so much, I would do anything to keep playing.”

In a profile of Matusz, Tufaro quotes a recent opposing coach, who said,

"The kid threw nothing but strikes. We didn’t hit him well. It seemed like he had total command. It’s shocking to me that he could be that good teaching himself (to become a southpaw) at that young of an age. Good for him. I’m a big fan of his now.”

So far this season he has a 2.83 ERA in three outings. He throws a curveball, fastball and a changeup.