masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBOSTON – Orioles manager Buck Showalter passed along a favorable update today on shortstop J.J. Hardy.

Hardy underwent an MRI on his back that didn’t reveal any structural damage. Team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs told Showalter that the result matched the one in April. Nothing has changed to raise concerns in the organization.

Hardy received a cortisone injection in the sacroiliac joint that’s located in the lower back.

Showalter will meet with Hardy during Thursday’s off-day in…BOSTON – Orioles manager Buck Showalter passed along a favorable update today on shortstop J.J. Hardy.

hardy-high-five-white.jpgHardy underwent an MRI on his back that didn’t reveal any structural damage. Team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs told Showalter that the result matched the one in April. Nothing has changed to raise concerns in the organization.

Hardy received a cortisone injection in the sacroiliac joint that’s located in the lower back.

Showalter will meet with Hardy during Thursday’s off-day in Baltimore. He still believes that Hardy could start at least one game of Friday’s doubleheader against the Yankees at Camden Yards.

Quotes to follow.

Update: Hardy will miss his 16th game tonight and the total will jump to 17 in Wednesday afternoon’s series finale.

“He had the SI joint injected with cortisone and the MRI was unchanged since April, so he’ll come in for treatment on Thursday and hoping he’s ready to go on Friday. That’s what we were kind of expecting in a way,” Showalter said.

“Structurally, it’s fine. The MRI was unchanged, as Jacobs told Dan (Duquette) that it would be.”

Players normally are shut down 48 hours following an injection.

“That’s another reason why we wanted to get ahead of it,” Showalter said. “We’ll see what we’ve got on Friday. It should be beyond the 48.”

Showalter left open the possibility that Hardy could play both ends of the doubleheader, but it’s too soon to commit.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe. Let’s see. I’ll come in Thursday and Richie (Bancells) is going to come in with him and a couple other guys. I think we’ve got four guys coming in.”

In other news, infielder Alexi Casilla is working out daily in Scottsdale instead of Sarasota after receiving permission from the team. He’s technically part of the taxi squad.

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has been shut down with hand/wrist inflammation. That’s why former Oriole Jemile Weeks is starting at second base.