FORT MYERS, Fla. — Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, who underwent Tommy John surgery last June, is “unlikely” to begin the season with the team, manager Buck Showalter said.
Wieters played catcher for the first time Tuesday and reported no ill effects after the game. However, on Wednesday, the Orioles shut him down from catching for at least a week.
Showalter said that if Wieters is unable to catch the team’s opening game April 6 at Tampa Bay, he would not be on the roster as a designated hitter. The Baltimore manager said Wieters’ recovery is going well, and this shouldn’t be viewed as a setback.
Caleb Joseph is likely to start the season as the Orioles’ catcher if Wieters is unavailable.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
