masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgShortstop J.J. Hardy has avoided the disabled list and expects to play this weekend in Cleveland.

Hardy is sidelined with a sprained left thumb.

“Came in yesterday and a big improvement,” he said. “Went and got an MRI and it was clean. Came in today, had a bigger improvement and real positive about the way it feels.

“Will do a little bit more treatment tomorrow. Play it by ear if we’re going to do any baseball activity tomorrow, but I’d like to and my goal is to be on the field in the…Shortstop J.J. Hardy has avoided the disabled list and expects to play this weekend in Cleveland.

Hardy is sidelined with a sprained left thumb.

“Came in yesterday and a big improvement,” he said. “Went and got an MRI and it was clean. Came in today, had a bigger improvement and real positive about the way it feels.

“Will do a little bit more treatment tomorrow. Play it by ear if we’re going to do any baseball activity tomorrow, but I’d like to and my goal is to be on the field in the Cleveland series. Not sure which day.”

Machado smiles.jpgThird baseman Manny Machado is walking without crutches after being placed on the 15-day disabled list today with a sprained right knee.

Machado is relieved that it’s only a sprain and he said the knee is feeling much better. He doesn’t know the grade of the sprain.

Machado is eligible to come off the disabled list on Aug. 27. Asked for a timetable on his return, Machado replied, “Whenever I feel good and whenever I’m able to go out there and be Manny Machado.

I’ll post quotes from Machado and manager Buck Showalter in my next entry.

Infielder Alexi Casilla is reporting to Triple-A Norfolk to replace Cord Phelps, who had his contract selected by the Orioles this afternoon. Casilla had been rehabbing at short-season Single-A Aberdeen after undergoing surgery to remove a broken hamate bone.