Orioles encouraged by MRI results on Wieters' elbow (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles received good news on Matt Wieters' MRI this morning.

Manager Buck Showalter said the MRI didn't reveal any structural damage in Wieters' right elbow. Nothing that contradicted an earlier X-ray, according to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Leigh Ann Curl.

"It looked good," Showalter said following an 8-7 win over the Phillies. "Dr. Curl, she's been with us a long time, said it looked good structurally, so that was encouraging. Just get some of whatever's left in there, the soreness, but pretty positive. I know Matt felt good about it today."

Wieters won't catch Tuesday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

The Orioles optioned pitcher Jason Garcia and will make one more cut today.

Garcia will be a starter at Double-A Bowie instead of working out of the bullpen.

"We're all excited about that," Showalter said. "He's going to get ready to be a starter. This guy basically skipped full-season A last year. He just happened to spend it in Baltimore all summer, and that was the idea.

"We're going to give Jason the ball every fifth day with a work day."

Yovani Gallardo was charged with five runs today in 2 1/3 innings. He allowed three home runs, including two to Maikel Franco.

"Crispness is not where it's going to be," Showalter said. "It's just early. Got a little tardy start, not much. He's a competitive guy. He'll figure it out.

"I thought he had a really good second inning."

Paul Janish delivered a two-out, two-run single on an 0-2 count in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Orioles an 8-7 lead. He's 7-for-22 with three RBIs this spring.

"That was fun," Showalter said after the Orioles improved to 2-11-2. "Paulie's had a good spring with the bat. He really has. He's put a lot of good swings on balls. That's about as good as I've seen him swing the bat for an extended period of time. Maybe that's what consistent at-bats will do for him.

"I asked him and (Steve) Tolleson if they were expecting to play this much this spring, and they said, 'In this camp, yes.' "

Pedro Alvarez, who went 0-for-3 today, will play Tuesday against the Blue Jays. Showalter was going to start him at third base, but decided against it.

"Third base in Dunedin is kind of rough," Showalter said.

Vance Worley will start the split-squad game Thursday afternoon against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, and Mike Wright will start the night game against the Twins in Sarasota. Ubaldo Jimenez will start a Triple-A game.

Update: The Orioles also optioned outfielder Henry Urrutia to Triple-A Norfolk. There are 47 players in camp.