BALTIMORE — With All-Star infielder Manny Machado expected to begin serving his suspension next week, the Orioles welcomed veteran shortstop J.J. Hardy back to Camden Yards on Friday.
The 33-year-old was not activated for the series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, but he will return to the Baltimore lineup on Saturday. Buck Showalter had left open the possibility of Hardy playing another minor-league game at Single-A Frederick after he went 4-for-11 with a walk in three games at Double-A Bowie earlier in the week week, but the manager confirmed after Friday’s 13-3 loss to Toronto that Hardy would be reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday.
Hardy has been on the DL since breaking his left foot on May 1.
“We’re leaning on J.J. on this. He knows he’s real close. I know there’s one little thing he wants to feel good about,” said Showalter on Friday afternoon. “He’s moving around well defensively. Plus-plus speed has not been his forte, so we’re not looking [for that]. I do know he wants to be able to score from second on a single and [from] first on a double and do the things he needs to do, but we’re looking forward to getting him back. It’s been a long road.”
Hardy’s return is an encouraging development with Machado slated to miss up to four games for charging the mound against Kansas City’s Yordano Ventura in a June 7 brawl. The 23-year-old has appealed his four-game suspension, but the Orioles are not overly optimistic about the chances of the ban being reduced, which could lead to Machado potentially dropping his case ahead of Tuesday’s scheduled hearing.
Such a decision could allow Machado to begin serving his suspension on Monday when the Orioles play a makeup game against Texas in Arlington and would then mean he’d miss only the opener of next weekend’s four-game set with Tampa Bay. The fear is that Machado’s hearing could delay the start of his suspension and prevent him from playing in the bulk of that series against an AL East opponent.
Though miffed that Ventura will likely only miss one start with his nine-game suspension compared to Machado missing multiple games, Showalter is trying to put a positive spin on the situation.
“I think Manny could use a few days [off]. He won’t ever admit it,” said Showalter about the young infielder who was playing in his major-league-leading 228th consecutive game on Friday. “I think we’ll be glad to get it behind us.”
It remains unclear how the Orioles will make room for Hardy on the 25-man roster, but infielder Paul Janish being designated for assignment or utility man Ryan Flaherty being optioned to the minors would appear to be the most likely of the possible moves. Baltimore must also make roster space for the returning Yovani Gallardo, who will make Saturday’s start against the Blue Jays.
Machado has played very well at shortstop in Hardy’s absence, but Showalter made it clear there would be no controversy with the former returning to his regular position at third base where he’s won two Gold Gloves. Hardy is a three-time Gold Glove winner at shortstop and is considered the leader of the defense.
“Manny’s got a lot of respect for J.J. and so does Jon Schoop,” Showalter said. “I was talking to [Machado] a little bit the other day and he’s really looking forward to [Hardy] coming back because it makes us a better team.”
In 86 plate appearances this season, Hardy is hitting .244 with two home runs, eight RBIs, and a .701 on-base plus slugging percentage.
NOTES: On Friday, the Orioles agreed to terms with first-round pitcher Cody Sedlock at the reported slot bonus value of just under $2.1 million. The right-hander from the University of Illinois will begin his professional career at short-season Single-A Aberdeen after completing some bullpen sessions in Sarasota. … Though he won’t be cleared to catch in games until June 27, backup catcher Caleb Joseph (testicular surgery) began his rehab assignment Friday serving as the designated hitter for Single-A Frederick. He is now allowed to catch bullpen sessions, but the possibility of a foul ball to the groin area as he continues to fully heal from surgery is the reason why he won’t catch in games for 10 more days. … Despite his slow recovery from a hamstring injury, All-Star reliever Darren O’Day “had a good day” on Friday, according to Showalter. He is eligible to be activated from the DL as early as Saturday, but it remains unclear when he will able to return. … Right-hander Vance Worley continues to feel the effects of the groin injury that landed him on the DL earlier this week, but Showalter still thinks he’ll be ready to return after the minimum 15 days.
