Orioles catcher Matt Wieters bothered by elbow tendinitis

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters has elbow tendinitis following his return from Tommy John surgery and won't play until at least Sunday.

The three-time All-Star caught six innings Tuesday against Minnesota in his first game behind the plate since elbow surgery June 17. He is 0 for 23 at the plate in spring training.

''The big day for us was coming into today,'' Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday. ''He has some tendinitis working there. We're probably not going to DH him for a couple of days to let it all quiet down. Next time we'd consider something with him is Sunday as a DH. He could be cleared sooner.''

Wieters hit .308 with five homers and 18 RBIs in 26 games last season. He batted .287 with 22 homers and 79 RBIs in 148 games in 2013.

''With all the time we have left, we thought it would be prudent to just try to get ahead of it,'' Showalter said. ''He's been doing a lot of things on the half field and throwing program. He's been doing things that he didn't do when he was healthy. There's been a lot there. His legs feel great, though. I don't think it puts anything in jeopardy, but we'll see.''

Baltimore opens at Tampa Bay on April 6, and Showalter thinks Wieters has a chance to be in the starting lineup.

''It's still a distinct possibility,'' he said, ''but if not then, shortly thereafter. We'll see how the tendinitis manages.''