Updated: 12:25 p.m.
BALTIMORE — After a report had suggested J.J. Hardy might begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk as early as Saturday, the Orioles shortstop instead returned to Baltimore to receive a cortisone injection in his left shoulder.
Manager Buck Showalter told reporters after Saturday’s 5-4 win over Boston that Hardy would be shut down for three days after receiving the injection. The Orioles think the shot can alleviate the slight pain Hardy is still feeling in extending his left shoulder through the follow-through of his swing.
“We hope. We’re just trying to give it some help getting that last little discomfort out of there,” Showalter said prior to Sunday’s series finale. “We almost did it three or four days ago, but J.J. thought it was really progressing and thought it might leave while he was in Norfolk. I’m hoping this is the last step [before rehab].”
With the Orioles playing on the road last week, Hardy was working out in Norfolk and had taken live batting practice on Thursday and Friday. Showalter said Friday that the Orioles were hoping Hardy would make it through the sessions without any discomfort, signaling he would be ready to begin a rehab assignment.
Showalter estimated that Hardy would likely only need to play in three or four minor-league games before being activated. The 32-year-old strained his left shoulder in a Grapefruit League game on March 27. He has since been joined on the 15-day disabled list by middle infielders Jonathan Schoop (right knee) and Ryan Flaherty (groin).
Filling in for Hardy has been veteran Everth Cabrera, who is hitting .224 with a .466 on-base plus slugging percentage this season.
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In other injury-related news, Showalter said catcher Matt Wieters is still scheduled to catch four or five innings in an extended spring training game in Sarasota on Monday.
Left-handed relief pitcher Wesley Wright (left trapezius strain) is scheduled to begin throwing in Sarasota this week.
Top pitching prospect Hunter Harvey is scheduled to throw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. The 2013 first-round pick has been on the minor-league disabled list since suffering a fractured right fibula in late March.
