Matusz on his bullpen session and more from Wieters

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz indicated that his back responded favorably after yesterday's bullpen session, his first since being shut down with a strained muscle in his lower back.

"It was good," he said. "I threw about 25 pitches and felt good."

Matusz has worked only one inning this spring, on March 2 against the Braves. He's been eager to resume throwing, but also understanding that he couldn't rush it and risk a setback.

The next step is for Matusz to follow up with another bullpen session Wednesday or Thursday, depending how much time the Orioles want to provide for recovery.

"Probably throw a few more pitches and see how it feels and go from there," Matusz said.

Matusz restricted himself to only fastballs and changeups yesterday.

"It was more to get that feel on the mound again and to kind of gain that confidence that it's healthy and everything's OK," he said. "Just have that confidence going into the next side to build and get it to more of a game-like scenario."

Matusz didn't offer any assurances that he'd be ready for opening day. He's not looking that far down the road.

"We're just taking it ... we're going to focus on tomorrow, the next bullpen, and go from there," he said.

I posted earlier about Matt Wieters' reaction to the MRI on his right elbow. He also stated that he should be ready for opening day despite being sidelined.

"Should be good," he said. "The body feels good. The key is, even not throwing now, try to get as much work in catching-wise as I can to keep the legs underneath me.

"Last year, it was hard because I wasn't able to do the other stuff because we were doing so much other rehab with the elbow. This year the body feels really in good shape to where when I get back throwing, I should be good to go."

Besides Yovani Gallardo, the rest of the staff is familiar to Wieters.

"Obviously, I'd like to catch Gallardo a few times before spring ends," Wieters said, "but it's something where we'll do as much as we can and whenever the season gets here, we'll be ready to go."

After Chris Tillman completes his start today in Dunedin, manager Buck Showalter can choose among relievers Tyler Wilson, Mychal Givens, Chris Lee, Chaz Roe and Parker Bridwell.

The Blue Jays are listing starter Jesse Chavez and relievers Brett Cecil, Drew Storen, Roberto Osuna and Chad Jenkins.

Kevin Gausman starts Wednesday for the Orioles, who will face the Pirates' Juan Nicasio in Sarasota. Vance Worley opposes the Red Sox left-hander Henry Owens Thursday afternoon in a split-squad game in Fort Myers. Mike Wright starts against the Twins in the night game in Sarasota.

The Twins haven't listed their starter.