J.J. Hardy on injury: "I think they found exactly what they thought it was"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said he didn't know before yesterday's MRI arthrogram that he would be shut down for a minimum of 10 days and he's unable to provide a timetable for his activation from the disabled list.

Hardy was diagnosed with a strained muscle in his left shoulder, an injury sustained during Friday's game against the Rays that eventually was called due to rain.

"I think they found exactly what they thought it was," Hardy said this morning while sitting at his locker. "I didn't know it was going to take 10 days or whatever they're saying to get all the swelling out and get the strength back, so that's a little disappointing, but I guess it could have been a lot worse.

"I feel better today than I did yesterday. At this rate, who knows how long it's going to be? I'm getting better quick, so I have no idea."

Hardy can't participate in baseball activities during the 10-day period in order to get the swelling out of his shoulder.

"I don't know how they can make these timetables," he said. "I feel better. That's kind of what I'm going off of, so if I'm feeling better, then who knows how long it will be?

"I'm getting range of motion back. I think there's still swelling in there and I think that's what we need to get rid of, and then once the swelling is gone, we can start strengthen it and go from there.

"I don't think it will be full inactivity. I think I'll be able to move around and do stuff, and then it'll just be a matter of swinging the bat full speed."

Hardy will stay out of the cage until the swelling is gone.

"I would probably say fielding grounders a lot sooner than swinging a bat, but I don't know," he said. "We haven't talked about that. We've only talked about just kind of getting the swelling out of there and going from there."

The Orioles open the season Monday against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Hardy could join them or stay back in Sarasota. A conversation is looming with manager Buck Showalter.

"I don't know how they're going to do it," he said. "I'd like to travel with the team, so we'll see. I'll probably have to sit down with Buck and talk to him and see what works best."

In the meantime, the three-time Gold Glove winner will ice his shoulder and receive stim treatments.

"Just kind of trying to work that swelling out of there," he said. "Once the swelling is out of there and I've got full range of motion, then we can start strengthening it."

The Orioles must lean more heavily on their depth to cover for Hardy, catcher Matt Wieters and backup outfielder David Lough.

"I think we've got a good team," Hardy said. "We've got good depth. Shouldn't be a problem."

Everth Cabrera is starting at shortstop again today in Hardy's absence.

"I'm ready for everything," Cabrera said. "I am here to play everywhere. Play a couple games in center field, second base, shortstop if J.J. got hurt. I don't know what they are going to do. That is not in my hands. I'm just going to be ready for the opportunity.

"They don't say anything to me yet."

Cabrera was battling for a roster spot, most likely as a utility player, but he could become the starting shortstop while Hardy is on the disabled list.

"Yeah, that spot's open now, but I don't pay attention to those things," he said. "I'm trying to be better every single day, trying to compete every single day."

Cabrera is looking better at the plate, collecting three more hits yesterday to raise his average to .283 (13-for-46) with six walks.

"You know, you come to an organization brand new," he said. "You've got that confidence every single day that you're always going to get better from here."

Shortstop is Cabrera's natural position, so the move should be seamless.

"Yeah, I've been working out with Bobby Dickerson," he said. "A couple things he showed me. I feel like I'm getting better. You're always going to be better from here."

The Orioles also could play Ryan Flaherty at shortstop. He, too, was fighting for a roster spot before Hardy's injury.

"I didn't really even know what was going on," Flaherty said. "I think one of the strengths of the team is that guys can step in and fill in, whoever that may be on any given night. We've just got to hold the fort down until he's ready to come back and play.

"Really, wherever they put me, I feel comfortable. Whether it's first, second, short, third, outfield - wherever it is on that night,I feel comfortable."

Flaherty should feel more comfortable about his chances of making the team. He can do the math.

"I think everyone does it subconsciously, see what's going on, but if you get caught up in that game, you end up just playing mind games. So you just worry about what you need to take care of and go ahead," Flaherty said.

The opening day roster will look unusual without Hardy, Wieters and Lough.

"Three big pieces, but that's adversity that a team goes through," said Flaherty, who's batting .244 (10-for-41) with one home run, five RBIs and 10 strikeouts.

"We had to go through it last year and that's what makes a good team, being able to hold it down while those guys are out. Guys have got to step up."