Updating Matt Wieters, more on today's game and Zach Phillips

BRADENTON, Fla. - Catcher Matt Wieters stayed back in Sarasota this morning to catch bullpen sessions with Chris Tillman and Yovani Gallardo. He was a consideration to serve as the designated hitter here today against the Pirates.

"I think tomorrow's on the table, too," Wieters said. "I think it came down to actually feeling like I can get a little bit more work in here than going and taking three at-bats. I'll get to catch Gallardo and Tillman's bullpen today and just get back behind the plate and get the legs there a little bit and work on some things hitting-wise from yesterday."

More importantly, Wieters threw from 90 feet yesterday and reported that his right elbow felt good. No setbacks since he left a March 12 game after one inning with soreness in the elbow.

"Keep moving forward," he said. "It's just a progression now of steps we've got to take to get back on the field and we'll go from there.

"Each day that we come in feeling good, we'll take it a step further. The key now is to keep feeling good each day we come back in.

"The intensity is up there, but we haven't gotten to actually catching specific throws yet. We're throwing to bases. But when we do our actual throwing program, we definitely put some velocity behind it."

Wieters' optimism about being ready for opening day seems to increase each morning.

"I knew that once we were able to get the muscles calmed down a little bit, it was going to be just a matter of building up the strength that we lost in the week from not doing anything," he said.

The Orioles have brought relievers Vance Worley, Darren O'Day, Zach Britton, Brad Brach, Dale Thayer and Andy Oliver to Bradenton. Oliver came over from minor league camp.

Other players from Twin Lakes Park include catcher Stuart Levy, infielders Drew Turbin, Drew Dosch, Ozzie Martinez, Garabez Rosa and Alex Liddi, and outfielders Julio Borbon and Cedric Mullins.

Manager Buck Showalter hinted yesterday that the media would have a note before today's game. It turned out to be left-hander Zach Phillips, who signed a one-year contract with Brian Matusz's status in doubt.

Phillips was the final cut in 2012 despite allowing two runs and four hits in 13 1/3 innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts. The Orioles kept left-hander Troy Patton, who didn't permit a run in 10 1/3 innings and was out of options.

They also held onto O'Day, which turned out to be a wise move.

The Orioles acquired Phillips from the Rangers on July 19, 2011 for infielder Nick Green and cash.

Right-handers are batting .250/.364/.429 against Phillips, and left-handers are hitting .257/.316/.486.

The arrival of Phillips is a clear signal that the Orioles expect Matusz to land on the disabled list. We'll hear more about the move from Showalter when he meets with the media during batting practice.

A job seems to be waiting for Phillips, but he isn't making any assumptions.

"You can't control that right now," he said. "Go out there and pitch like I can and stay healthy, and if that comes to that, that's awesome."