masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgHOUSTON – Orioles manager Buck Showalter was satisfied with catcher Matt Wieters’ brief throwing session earlier today.

For the first day, the Orioles just wanted to make sure that Wieters could complete all 25 throws without experiencing pain in his right elbow.

“Trying to decide what is discomfort like he was feeling or just some crankiness from inactivity,” Showalter said. “First time out, everybody who throws after that much time off, it’s not going to be perfect. I know the area…HOUSTON – Orioles manager Buck Showalter was satisfied with catcher Matt Wieters’ brief throwing session earlier today.

For the first day, the Orioles just wanted to make sure that Wieters could complete all 25 throws without experiencing pain in his right elbow.

“Trying to decide what is discomfort like he was feeling or just some crankiness from inactivity,” Showalter said. “First time out, everybody who throws after that much time off, it’s not going to be perfect. I know the area where the ligament attaches, he had no discomfort there, so that was encouraging.”

Veteran reliever Luis Ayala is expected to opt out of his contract on Saturday.

Ayala has appeared in five games with Double-A Bowie, allowing three runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings. He’s walked two, struck out five and posted a 2.44 WHIP.

Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown is making an appearance at Minute Maid Park for tonight’s Civil Rights Game, and former heavyweight champion George Foreman is waiting to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Commissioner Bud Selig told reporters again that Baltimore remains a candidate to host the 2016 All-Star Game. No word on whether Cito Gaston and Mike Mussina will be honorary captains.

CivilRightsGameJerseyTall.jpgThe Orioles are wearing the uniform of the Baltimore Elite Giants, a professional baseball team that played in the Negro Leagues from 1920-50.

Showalter attended a luncheon earlier today that included Hall of Famers Frank Robinson and Hank Aaron.

“Frank was asking me about Manny (Machado) and some other things,” Showalter said. “He was over there bending Manny’s ear. Frank tries to hide it a little bit, but he’s got a special place in his heart for the Orioles, I think.

“He was saying, ‘You know, those statues out there are erected in Baltimore because of the six guys who were on championship teams. Remind everybody of that. They didn’t do that for the stats.’ ”

Showalter is especially proud to participate in tonight’s game, given his experiences while growing up in Florida.

“My dad was a principal during integration,” Showalter said. “We had two high schools that were segregated and he walked out with the teachers, which was a no-no. He supported the teachers union, which principals weren’t supposed to do, and they told him that he’d never work again if he did it. He walked out and didn’t allow us to go to schools. We were home-schooled because of his stand. Wasn’t very popular in the area where I grew up. We got some phone calls late at night, but my dad, he stood up.

“Then they came to him when we integrated. They were turning the black school, Carver, into a middle school, and they came back to him on bended knee and asked him if he would take over the school because of the respect that the black community had for my dad.

“I look back at the impression that my dad’s stand had on me. It’s pretty special. I think it’s one reason why the community I grew up in had such a good transition into reality of what the world should be.”