The reason Wieters isn't in today's lineup

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

July 26, 2015, 7:59am

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Matt Wieters is out of today's lineup due to back stiffness that cropped up during last night's game against the Rays.

Wieters would have made his second career start at first base. He's 8-for-14 with a double and two home runs lifetime against Rays left-hander Matt Moore.

jones wieters low five road sidebar.jpg "Just another thing with the turf," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "He's a lot better today. I think he'll be fine to catch tomorrow, but I don't want to put that in jeopardy.

"Matt DHing, I don't think it quite agrees with him too much statistically, but we'll still do it again."

Wieters is 1-for-17 as a DH.

Showalter checked on Wieters again today and noted the improvement.

"I don't want to jeopardize tomorrow," he said.

"Just stiffened up on him a couple times. Couldn't really tell catching. I thought he had a heck of a game behind the plate, but he said it was challenging the last couple of innings."

Showalter wanted Wieters' bat in the lineup against Moore.

"I saw the same thing you did," he said. "Pretty good numbers."