Pregame notes on Matt Wieters, Jeff Beliveau, Miguel Gonzalez and more

TAMPA - It was a small step, but a step nonetheless for Orioles catcher Matt Wieters.

"He swung the bat some today," manager Buck Showalter said this afternoon at Steinbrenner Field. "When I was walking through the hall (in Sarasota), he came back in and had a sweat going."

Showalter didn't see Wieters take those swings and later checked to let reporters know that he hit against a pitching machine. Still no timetable for Wieters to play a game, but the O's remain confident he'll be ready for opening day.

Outfielder Xavier Avery is not available tonight due to a hip flexor. It happened late in the game last night. He's here with the team, but not available to play.

Left-hander Jeff Beliveau is scheduled to pitch an inning in a minor league game Monday. Beliveau, who posted a 2.63 ERA in 30 appearances with the Rays in 2014, is coming back from labrum surgery in April and is signed to a minor league contract.

The Orioles optioned pitchers Parker Bridwell and Chris Lee to Double-A Bowie this afternoon, leaving their camp roster at 45 with 10 non-roster players included.

Bridwell went 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in five O's spring games. Lee went 0-0 with a 9.53 ERA in six games, giving up most of his runs in one appearance.

"It is exciting to have them both in the rotation there at Bowie," Showalter said. "Pretty exciting group with (Jason) Garcia and those two guys. You have to think (Hunter) Harvey, at some point this year, might join them. Good young group there.

"They presented themselves well. Parker we knew and Chris we got to know. Parker made some strides and it was good for him to see he can do this. Chris is impressive. He's got a big arm. He's very athletic and he came here with a plus changeup. He's just 23 years old. I think he can impact us at some point."

Showalter said Jimmy Paredes, out with a left wrist bone bruise, might be able to take some swings soon. Showalter also talked this afternoon about struggling right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who starts tonight and has allowed 18 hits and 14 runs in 5 2/3 innings.

"Stat-wise, he has (struggled). He feels good physically," Showalter said. "It's that time of year where you'd like to start getting a little return for your preparation. This will be a good test for him tonight."

The Orioles will have to do some creative scheduling with three of their pitchers set to pitch next on Tuesday. The three are Vance Worley, Ubaldo Jimenez and Mike Wright.