Orioles manager: Matt Wieters will be 'very close' to ready for start of season

The Baltimore Orioles may not have their starting catcher healthy by Opening Day.

Manager Buck Showalter projects Matt Wieters, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, will be ready very close to the start of the season, but not in time for the opener on April 6 in Tampa Bay.

Wieters went under the knife in June, and hit .308 in 26 games before succumbing to the injury.

The 28-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, and will be banking on a big year in order to boost his value on the open market next winter.

Wieters' timeline for a return could change significantly depending on how he rehabs over the winter months.