Wrapping up the first day at the Ed Smith Stadium complex

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter couldn't comment today on the pending one-year deal with shortstop Everth Cabrera because it hadn't been finalized. Cabrera took his physical and the Orioles are waiting on the results. They were thorough, as usual, due to past hamstring and shoulder issues. Also, Cabrera was charged in November with resisting arrest after being stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana two months earlier. A trial is set for April, and the club needs assurances that he isn't facing jail time. The Orioles are more willing now to give second chances to players carrying baggage, confident that their core of veteran leaders will police the clubhouse and prevent any disruption to team chemistry and harmony. The Orioles already decided which player would come off the 40-man roster to make room for Cabrera, who drew interest from several teams willing to offer major league deals. Cabrera's minor league option, as I wrote earlier, was a big factor in the Orioles' pursuit of him. Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop also have options and it's highly unlikely that all three players would make the opening day roster unless an injury created a spot. Signing Cabrera would give the Orioles 58 players in camp. Showalter said Matt Wieters, who underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in June, would stay back if he isn't ready to catch on April 6. He's not going to be used as a designated hitter or first baseman. He'd probably report to the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park and continue to work out. "If Matt's not ready to catch, I don't think he'd start with us," Showalter said. "He's going to be missing the catching part of it and the throwing, so we'd want to keep him active down here." Wieters will catch in the two intrasquad games, but he probably won't make the trip to Lakeland, Fla., for the March 3 exhibition opener against the Tigers, according to Showalter. Even so, there will be plenty of away games on his schedule. "He's going to have to break out the gray pants," Showalter said. "He'll get more at-bats than he's ever had in spring, as will Manny (Machado). They have to catch up." Showalter also said March 17 is a "real conservative date" for Wieters to debut behind the plate in an exhibition game. It could happen sooner, but he's not going to be rushed. The Orioles are consulting with Dr. James Andrews, who performed the surgery. "We could push the envelope, but (Andrews) has no qualms about that date and beyond," Showalter said. "Keep in mind we're not going to catch him every day after that, and some of them will be three or four innings. " The restrictions on Wieters, who reported to camp early, are limited to making throws as a catcher. He continues to look good while long tossing, impressing the training staff with the backspin on the ball, and he can bat from both sides of the plate. "He's going to do everything except throw the baseball - bunt defense drills, every drill we do he's going to do except throw the baseball," Showalter said. "He's already catching guys." The highlight for the Orioles today was the return of minor league catching instructor Don Werner, who was diagnosed last spring with breast cancer. He received a standing ovation at the staff meeting and insisted that he's ready to throw batting practice on Friday. "You know how big a deal that's going to be for him?" Showalter said. "I said, 'Hey, you want to go into this easy?' And he said, 'Man, I've been throwing two weeks getting ready for this.' "He's had a hell of a fight." The meeting with Showalter and his coaches lasted about three hours. Pitchers and catchers officially report on Thursday, with the first workout being held the following day after physicals are completed. The Orioles have checked on veteran reliever Dustin McGowan, but there doesn't appear to be anything hot. Stay tuned, though, because things tend to change quickly around here.