Matt Wieters' X-ray clean and other notes following 6-4 win

SARASOTA, Fla. - The X-rays on Matt Wieters' right elbow came back clean today, according to manager Buck Showalter, who added that no further tests were scheduled.

Wieters caught his first Grapefruit League game on Tuesday and was diagnosed with tendinitis in the elbow the following day. Head athletic trainer Richie Bancells arranged the X-rays today as a precaution.

"There's no reason to have any other tests," Showalter said after a 6-4 win over the Pirates. "I talked to him when he got back. Upbeat. Felt good today, so I feel confident we'll get it going again before long."

Showalter doesn't know whether Wieters will need to get into another throwing progression.

"We haven't gotten there yet," Showalter said. "I was thinking about that last night. If there's a need, we'll do it.

"He's not far other than catching six, seven, eight innings. There's not a whole lot there other than that."

Wieters could serve as the designated hitter on Sunday.

Chris Tillman allowed one run and four hits over four innings today, with no walks and five strikeouts.

"You can tell he came into camp in really good shape arm-wise," Showalter said. "Anytime you have the innings that he's had the last couple of years, you'd like to see him come out carrying a good fastball in the spring, which he's done.

"He's in an area we haven't seen him as far as all his pitches and his arm speed and everything. I think it bodes well for him. I was glad to see him get up around 70 (pitches)."

Showalter still hasn't named his opening day starter, but he said Tillman will pitch in one of the first three games against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

"There's a flash," Showalter quipped.

The Orioles are having a staff meeting today and will discuss slotting their starters.

Manny Machado had a single and stolen base today while batting first. Is he giving Showalter something to think about from the leadoff spot, or is Machado slotted atop the order to get the extra at-bats.

"Yes," Showalter replied, grinning. "I'm looking at everything. Steve Pearce. The way leadoff's been looked at in year's past, I don't really look at it that way.

"I think Manny's primed to have a good year. You can tell how good he feels. He's playing with a certain recklessness that healthy people play with, as has Nolan (Reimold)."

Reimold came off the bench and drew another walk, his fifth this spring.

"I've been real impressed with how Nolan's played," Showalter said. "I've tried to get him involved in every game one way or the other, whether it be two or three innings at the end, whether it's start, and he's really responded to it. He and Manny both physically, I couldn't be happier with them."

Adam Jones was 4-for-25 with one RBI before homering for the first time today, singling and driving in two runs.

"Adam's fine. He's Adam," Showalter said. "I had to kind of hold him because I think he's wanted to play in every game, home and away."

Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia threw 30 pitches in the bullpen today and will throw live batting practice on Saturday. He expects to pitch in a game "pretty quick after that."

"I'm feeling good," he said. "I'm actually feeling a little bit stronger. My arm kind of feels like it's getting over that slow phase."