Greetings from Dunedin: Pregame medical updates on Matusz, Paredes

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Friday's exhibition game between the Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays that reliever Brian Matusz would likely be headed for the disabled list if this were the regular season.

Matusz has been shut down with a serratus strain, which is in the area below the rib cage on the right side of his back.

The recovery time on that type of injury is difficult to project, but based on Showalter's comment and the fact that most muscle injuries in the trunk need to completely heal before resuming activity, it's likely that Matusz will miss at least half of the remaining exhibition schedule.

Jimmy Paredes, who rolled his left wrist trying to catch a ball in right field on Thursday, underwent an MRI on Friday morning, which confirmed an earlier X-ray that showed no fracture. The injury is being described as a bone bruise rather a sprain, but Paredes is wearing a soft cast.

He likely will miss significant time this spring, but Showalter said the team hopes he'll be able to return to action during the exhibition season.