Former teammates looking forward to Wieters' return

Just as the Orioles seemed to be regaining a sense of normalcy in their baseball lives, along comes Matt Wieters to create another storyline. And we said it wouldn't get weird again.

This distraction will be greeted more warmly than the others that preceded it.

Wieters is making his first trip to Camden Yards since signing with the Nationals as a free agent, a moment he surely anticipated after agreeing to terms on a two-year, $21 million contract in February. He's agreed to meet with the media in the dugout before batting practice.

The Orioles made Wieters the fifth-overall pick in 2007 out of Georgia Tech. Wieters made his major league debut two years later and played in 882 games, winning two Gold Gloves and being selected to four All-Star teams.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy inherited Wieters' end locker by moving down a couple of spots. Sacred ground, for sure.

"It's going to be different," Hardy said. "I've seen him on TV a couple of times. He looks good. Looks like he's lost a lot of weight, looks like he's in great shape. It's going to be weird, him on the other side, but it will be good to see him and I think the fans will cheer for him. It might be a lot of their fans anyway.

"It's always different when you only know them one way and he's been here (eight) years in an Orioles uniform. It's always different at first to see change. It's like when someone gets a haircut. They always look different. But it seems like he's gotten off to a pretty good start, right? Yeah, that's good."

For the sake of keeping a running gag alive, Hardy texted Wieters on April 30 after his former teammate went 3-for-4 with two home runs against the Mets in a 23-5 blowout.

"We always had a thing where, on the road, whoever had the better game the day before had to buy the coffee for the guy who didn't have as good a game," Hardy said. "So, I just texted him that, 'You'd be buying my coffee today.' Then he complained that he panicked off the position player and should have had three home runs, and I'm like, 'Screw you, I wish I just had three infield knocks. You're getting greedy.' But yeah, we'll keep in touch."

Wieters will be easy to find for the next two days. The "other" clubhouse and dugout. And he's certain to come out on the field a little early for batting practice to shake hands and exchange hugs.

The feeling today will be similar to what transpired when right fielder Nick Markakis returned to Camden Yards after signing with the Braves.

"I think it's going to be pretty awesome," said reliever Brad Brach. "I think it's going to be a lot like Markakis when he came back with the Braves. I'm definitely looking forward to Matt just because I know he really loved his time here. He was here for a long time and I remember hearing about Matt when I was in college and he just got drafted. I'm sure for fans who were here and witnessed him being here the whole time, it's going to be really nice to see him and have him back."

The curly W on the red hat will be a bit off-putting. No cartoon bird is no joke.

"It's not going to look right," said infielder Ryan Flaherty.

"He's a good leader, a good guy. It's going to be fun to see him. It's good for him, but it's going to be weird, for sure."

Or "a little different," as Brach put it.

"Especially after just being here for three years with him," Brach said. "I guess it's just one of those things you get used to in baseball, because guys seem to switch teams a lot. But yeah, it will definitely be a little weird, but I think after the first couple of innings, it will just kind of be back to baseball like it is all the time, but definitely looking forward to his reception."

"It was weird the first time I saw him on TV in a different uniform," said first baseman Chris Davis, "but as far as playing against him, I played against him when he was here and I was in Texas. We've known each other since we were in high school. I think it will probably be a little unusual at first, but you know how Matt is. He's a professional and he takes his job seriously. And I'm sure he's going to want to be on top of his game whenever he's playing us, so I don't expect there to be any lingering effect between the lines."

The Orioles anticipate that fans will greet Wieters with a warm ovation in appreciation for his role in lifting the franchise out of its 14-year losing funk.

"They should," Davis said. "Multiple All-Star Games, Gold Gloves. In my opinion was kind of the face of the franchise for a few years before Adam (Jones) kind of took over that role. Homegrown product. I don't think he's given them any reason to do otherwise, so I hope they do."

Reliever Darren O'Day hadn't given much thought to Wieters' return until reminded yesterday as media members descended upon his locker.

"Oh yeah," he said. "I see him on TV doing well and I know the team's doing well, but I haven't actually thought about what Matt's going to look like in his uni. I'm sure he'll look good.

"He spent a lot of years here, so it will be different. It'll be good to see him and catch up a little bit."

O'Day kept in touch with Wieters in the offseason as the free agent process played out. A voice of experience on the other end of the phone. Or just fingers punching out messages.

"We had a wedding we went through and some texting," O'Day said. "That's about it. A normal offseason. We're not in a book club, but I would consider us friends."

Kevin Gausman is a friend to Wieters, who also will be standing in the batter's box trying to ruin his night. Gausman will be on the mound for the series opener.

"I can't give away my scouting report," Gausman quipped. "No, it will be a little weird. I don't think I've ever faced him, even in spring training or anything, so yeah, it will be a little different."

If Gausman hits Wieters with a curveball, you'll know for sure that it's an accident.

"Matt was here for a long time and had a lot to do with kind of bringing us back," Gausman said. "We've been good ever since I've been here. I wasn't really in the stage of, I think we had like a 14-year drought before that. I know he was just a small sliver of that, but I think him and Jonesy and guys who have been around for a while. They obviously had something to do with that.

"I think he should get a pretty big reception from fans. And I'll be pitching, so that will be cool."