masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that catcher Matt Wieters will serve as the designated hitter in the first intrasquad game and “more than likely” the March 3 exhibition opener against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. Wieters won’t move behind the plate until March 17 as he continues his recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.
“I told him to break out his gray pants because he will make some road trips, as will Manny (Machado), which they…

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that catcher Matt Wieters will serve as the designated hitter in the first intrasquad game and “more than likely” the March 3 exhibition opener against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. Wieters won’t move behind the plate until March 17 as he continues his recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.

“I told him to break out his gray pants because he will make some road trips, as will Manny (Machado), which they didn’t really need gray pants in the past,” Showalter said on MLB Network Radio.

“At-bats-wise, he and Manny will get more than they’ve ever had in the spring. Then it’s just going to be a question, we hope, of do we feel like 2 1/2 weeks of catching is enough. If not, we have extended spring, we have some other things. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. Two weeks into it until the start of the season, it’ll be a distant memory, but we are not going to rush it. But you can tell walking around watching their faces how they’re feeling.

“Matt feels great. He came in yesterday with Maverick, his son, and was holding him with his right arm. Not that I noticed. And he wouldn’t have done that two months ago. And you can tell both of them are smiling because daddy’s getting ready to play baseball.”

Matt_Wieters-sidebar_throwing_out_runner.jpgWieters only played in 26 games last season. Machado was limited to 82 and underwent surgery on his right knee in August.

“Believe me, you take something away from them – I didn’t, but the injuries did – they’re used to playing baseball,” Showalter said. “They didn’t like sitting around watching last year, especially what went on with our ballclub. Same way with Chris Davis. I’m hoping these three guys being back will give us a shot in the arm.”

Showalter repeated that Machado and pitcher Dylan Bundy are full-go in camp.

“No restrictions. Let’s go. You’re another guy,” Showalter said.

Position players aren’t due into camp until Feb. 24, but there are plenty of early arrivals, including Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy, Ryan Flaherty and Nolan Reimold. Pitcher Miguel Gonzalez visited the media workroom this morning.

Players were on the field this morning, but the informal workout was closed to the media.

Here is the audio:

Note: MLB Network will air five Orioles spring training games, none of them in Sarasota:

* Sunday, March 8 at Twins, 1 p.m.
* Friday, March 13 at Blue Jays, 1 p.m.
* Sunday, March 15 at Pirates, 1 p.m.
* Thursday, March 26 at Tigers, 1 p.m.
* Saturday, March 28 at Yankees, 1 p.m.