Wieters to undergo season-ending elbow surgery

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles received the anticipated news today on catcher Matt Wieters. They must proceed through the rest of the 2014 season without him. Wieters will undergo ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow at noon Tuesday in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Dr. James Andrews will handle the procedure after examining the elbow again this afternoon. Manager Buck Showalter said today's MRI revealed a little more damage than the one taken last month while the Orioles were in St. Petersburg for a three-game series with the Rays. Andrews will use the palmaris longus tendon in Wieters' right wrist to repair the elbow. Only about 70 percent of the population has the tendon and it isn't needed for Wieters to eventually resume throwing. Wieters will do most of his early rehab back home in Atlanta. "His presence is always here," Showalter said. The club is hopeful that Wieters will be ready for opening day next year. The recovery time is shorter for a catcher than a pitcher. However, it's longer for a catcher than an outfielder. Wieters batted .308/.339/.500 with five doubles, five homers and 18 RBIs in 26 games. He led American League catchers in the most recent All-Star balloting announced last week. The latest round of voting will be revealed later today. Wieters threw out only one of 12 runners attempting to steal this season, an oddity for the two-time Gold Glove winner and All-Star. More to come.