Caleb Joseph on Matt Wieters: "My heart dropped for him"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz will try to throw off a mound today in the next step in his recovery from a strained muscle in his lower back.

Matusz has made only one appearance, allowing a run and two hits in one inning against the Braves on March 2.

Matusz session comes one day after left-hander T.J. McFarland threw about 25 pitches in the bullpen. McFarland had some inflammation in his elbow.

Jeff Beliveau played long toss yesterday after throwing live batting practice Saturday for the fourth time this spring. Instead of taking the usual two days off, he's got a side session this morning as he comes back from April labrum surgery.

Caleb Joseph is in the lineup again today while Matt Wieters receives treatment on his sore right elbow. Wieters wasn't at his locker this morning.

Joseph expects Wieters to be behind the plate on opening day. In the meantime, he'll do his usual routine and get ready for however many games are needed from him.

"This early in spring, you just play the games when your name's in the lineup," he said. "I think looking back two, three, four months ago, you have to prepare as though you're going to play every single day. And that goes for me, it probably goes for (Ryan) Flaherty. It goes for the relief pitchers. So you prepare physically. The only thing that changes right now during spring is just not having that every other day routine.

"Until Matt's not ready opening day, this is no big deal to me. I'm not a doctor and I haven't really talked to Matt, but I think he's going to be fine and ready to go and everything's going to work itself out. I'm not ready to even begin thinking about being in the same spot as I was last year. I think Matt's going to rebound quickly and be right back to where he was."

Joseph watched from the dugout as Wieters left Saturday's game after the top of the first inning with a sore elbow.

"Oh, man, my heart sank," he said. "This is a friend of mine before even a teammate. To see all the hard work that he's done, and you understand that he wants to play as much as he can. He makes our team better. Him behind the plate makes the Orioles better.

"It's sad to see somebody put a lot of work into it and then have a little, I'm not going to say setback, but have a little discomfort in something that's been feeling good for a while now. My heart dropped for him. I was thinking about him all day yesterday. But he's a strong man. He'll figure it out, he'll do his work and he'll be back. I wouldn't be surprised if he's back quicker than we think, so we'll see."

The Orioles pitchers listed behind starter Yovani Gallardo include Odrisamer Despaigne, Brad Brach, Pedro Beato, Todd Redmond and Dale Thayer.

The Phillies brought starter Alec Asher and relievers Severino Gonzalez, Ernesto Frieri and Edward Mujica.

Former Oriole David Lough is in center field today for the Phillies. Ryan Howard is at first base.

For the Phillies
Tyler Goeddel LF
Cedric Hunter RF
Maikel Franco 3B
Ryan Howard 1B
Jorge Alfaro DH
Andres Blanco 2B
David Lough CF
Carlos Ruiz C
Ryan Jackson SS

Alec Asher RHP