masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said he’s in today’s lineup for the 1:05 p.m. game against the Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium.
Hardy will be making his Grapefruit League debut. He took live batting practice again yesterday and his back is fine.
“It’s been a little bit longer road than I thought it would be, but I’m feeling good and now I just need to get into some baseball form,” Hardy said.
Hardy said he will play a “normal” schedule to get ready for opening day. Whatever…

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said he’s in today’s lineup for the 1:05 p.m. game against the Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium.

Hardy will be making his Grapefruit League debut. He took live batting practice again yesterday and his back is fine.

“It’s been a little bit longer road than I thought it would be, but I’m feeling good and now I just need to get into some baseball form,” Hardy said.

Hardy said he will play a “normal” schedule to get ready for opening day. Whatever manager Buck Showalter wants him to do, which will include road games.

jj-hardy-white-batting.jpg“Get in there today, play tomorrow and then we’ll see where we’re at after tomorrow and just kind of play like I’m 100 percent healthy,” Hardy said.

“Just got to get ready for the season now.”

Hardy hopes to accumulate 40-50 at-bats and can go to the minor league complex if he needs the boost. He can lead off every inning in games over at Twin Lakes Park.

The Orioles make short trips to Bradenton on Wednesday and Friday, which is convenient for Hardy.

Meanwhile, first baseman Chris Davis is in the clubhouse this morning and feeling a little better. He was sent home again yesterday with bronchitis.

No word yet on whether Davis is playing today.

Also, Chris Tillman wasn’t in the clubhouse during the 30 minutes of media access.

The Orioles have Pedro Álvarez’s locker set up and they assigned him No. 24 again. Chris Johnson switched to 17.

Johnson said he knew Álvarez wore 24 previously and had no issues with surrendering it, saying a number is “the least of my worries.”