Wieters throws for first time in three weeks
Orioles' All-Star catcher tests ailing right elbow with 25 tosses, feels good
HOUSTON -- Orioles catcher Matt Wieters made 25 throws at Minute Maid Park prior to Friday's Civil Rights Game against the Astros, testing his right elbow for the first time in more than three weeks.
"It went good," said Wieters, who threw to bench coach John Russell with assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel watching.
"[We're] trying to decide [whether any] discomfort is like he was feeling or just some crankiness from inactivity," Orioles manager Buck 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."
Showalter said Thursday he wouldn't take much out of Friday's session and would wait until his All-Star catcher is out there a few times before assessing. Wieters will take Saturday off before playing catch again on Sunday, and he said he will stick with an every-other-day plan for now.
Wieters, currently on the disabled list with right elbow discomfort, hasn't caught in a game since May 4 and hasn't played since May 10. The Orioles are hoping Wieters can avoid season-ending surgery, opting for rest and rehab.