Wieters on starting behind the plate today

SARASOTA, Fla. - Matt Wieters knows that he's behind the plate today for the Orioles' game against the Puerto Rico Development Program and he still isn't cleared to make throws to second base, but he has no idea whether the opponent will be running.

This isn't an intrasquad game, where the Orioles can dictate the rules. They may, however, make a few polite suggestions.

"We'll find out," Wieters said, grinning. "I think it might have been mentioned, but even if they run, I can still use it to get my footwork. It's just a matter of making sure the ball doesn't go to the throwing hand.

"Hopefully, my ego doesn't get in the way and I don't start trying to throw after too may stolen bases. But just getting behind the plate will be good. I can focus solely on getting ready for catching and worry about the throwing in a couple days.

Wieters is throwing to bases this morning as part of his program and to prepare for Tuesday's start behind the plate.

"We'll just use this afternoon as getting the legs and getting used to catching behind the plate," Wieters said.

Wieters also will catch in Sunday's B game against the Pirates.

Asked whether he's experienced any setbacks during his recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his elbow, Wieters replied, "I have soreness and have things every day that makes it feel not like a normal elbow, but that's not a setback.

"As long as the strength is there, which I've been fortunate to have the strength stay up and be able to throw on my throw days, then that's really the only setbacks you have is when you have to take a day off from throwing, and we've been fortunate to be able to keep the throwing program going.

It's still too early for Wieters to know whether he can be in the lineup on opening day.

"Until we get into games, we'll see," he said. "Adrenaline is a great thing, but it's also a thing you have to monitor, so we'll see once we get into games. I'd love to be able to make a decision right now, but I have a feeling it's going to be a decision we make with all the information we have before opening day."

Wieters is 0-for-20 this spring and the team has scuffled as a whole at the plate. Normal for this time of the year?

"It can be a good thing," Wieters said. "You don't want to be leaving too many bullets at spring training. At the same time, you just want to be constantly working and improving on your swing.

"It's something where, if you're going to struggle for a little bit, you'd rather it be in March than in April or May or any other month during the season.

"I think more than anything, spring training is always weird because you're taught throughout the whole year to do whatever it takes to score runs and be unselfish, as opposed to spring training, when you're really trying to get your swing in line to where you feel like you can do that when the season comes. This is such an unselfish team that I think spring training sometimes we can get caught up in 'OK, let's get our swing right,' as opposed to once the season comes, it's a little easier to say, 'OK, what do I need to do right here in this situation?' "

The rehab from surgery didn't delay Wieters' winter hitting schedule, so he can't blame the elbow for his drought at the plate.

"I started about the same time," he said. "That's one thing we talked about. I was cleared right after the season was over to start swinging, but Richie (Bancells) said, 'Take this offseason just like you would any other offseason. You just didn't play the last five months of the year.' So, that's what we did. We treated the offseason swinging-wise like I would any other offseason.

"I think anybody who's had surgery on anything knows that some days you wake up and it's a little stiff, so I have that, but swinging is something where I'm confident where I can cut it loose completely and not have to worry about anything or any repercussions from it, which is the biggest thing of getting over anything is feeling like you can cut it completely loose and know that everything is going to hold up."

Paul Janish said he's serving as the designated hitter for today's game against Puerto Rico.

Manager Buck Showalter ran the idea past Janish yesterday, which surprised the infielder. He wasn't expected to play in his first game for at least another week.

No word on when he'll start at an infield position.

For the Rays
DeJesus RF
Forsythe 1B
Cabrera SS
Jaso LF
Rivera C
Franklin DH
Kiermaier CF
Beckham 2B
Elmore 3B

Karns RHP