masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of tonight’s lineup with tightness in his calf.
Hardy felt the calf tighten up shortly before last night’s rain delay. He received treatment and noticed improvement after taking the field again. Hardy was fine earlier today, but the calf stiffened as he did some running.
“I just kind of made the decision we’re going to back off it today,” said manager Buck Showalter. “Also, with the weather tomorrow, to have the potential to potentially have two days….

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of tonight’s lineup with tightness in his calf.

Hardy felt the calf tighten up shortly before last night’s rain delay. He received treatment and noticed improvement after taking the field again. Hardy was fine earlier today, but the calf stiffened as he did some running.

“I just kind of made the decision we’re going to back off it today,” said manager Buck Showalter. “Also, with the weather tomorrow, to have the potential to potentially have two days. You want to take advantage of that.”

The discomfort came last night on “one run,” Showalter said.

“He went in, loosened up. They did this thing they do with a rolling pin, felt fine, and he was able to play with it. He came in today and it felt pretty good.

“It was my decision, taking it all in with Richie (Bancells) and the player and doctors. I decided not to take a chance tonight.”

hardy-fielding-gray-sidebar.jpgHardy and Adam Jones could play tonight if needed. Jones swung in the cage and noted improvement in his rib area.

“They’re both available, but I want to try to get ahead of it and make sure it doesn’t turn into something,” Showalter said. “I was going to play Ryan (Flaherty) today anyway. I want to try and get everybody on the field. It worked out.”

The cold weather didn’t really influence Showalter’s decision.

“I would probably end up doing what I’m doing just to be on the safe side,” he said. “I don’t like … knowing the players, knowing both of them, they know the difference between something that they should be careful with.”

Flaherty is starting at third base instead of shortstop.

“I just thought you guys might be bored, give you guys a little extra to go with,” Showalter quipped.

“There’s some reasons with Tampa that I think fits better. I just think we could go either way, but I think it fits a little better with the team we’re playing.”