masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgJ.J. Hardy clearly knows how much Manny Machado means to the Orioles and what it means to have him back on the team.

He is very aware he led the American League with 51 doubles last year and that he won both Gold and Platinum Gloves. He has a great view to watch Machado’s amazing glove and arm at work at third base.

But despite all that, Hardy said we should not expect Machado to play like the budding superstar that he is the minute he plays his first O’s game in 2014 today against…J.J. Hardy clearly knows how much Manny Machado means to the Orioles and what it means to have him back on the team.

He is very aware he led the American League with 51 doubles last year and that he won both Gold and Platinum Gloves. He has a great view to watch Machado’s amazing glove and arm at work at third base.

But despite all that, Hardy said we should not expect Machado to play like the budding superstar that he is the minute he plays his first O’s game in 2014 today against Pittsburgh.

Hardy said Machado will make a big impact, even if it doesn’t happen in his first few games.

“I don’t know why we’d want to put that much pressure on him, to expect him to come back and make a huge impact,” Hardy said. “But obviously he’s a great player and he’s going to make our team better. If it’s not an impact within the first week, over the long haul it’s a huge impact.”

The fans are thrilled that No. 13 is back and so are his Orioles teammates.

“Excited,” Hardy said of Machado’s return. “I mean, he looks like he’s in great spirits and he’s feeling good. I heard he did really well in A-ball for a couple of games and it sounds like he’s ready to be here. I think everyone here is excited to see him and happy to have him back.”

The O’s infield has played this year without Hardy at times, Machado until now and now Chris Davis is out. But at least the left side of the infield is back together.

“We played 156, 157 games or so together on the left side of the infield last year,” Hardy said. “So it’s going to be nice to look to my right and we’ll be pretty familiar with each other. So yeah, we’re all happy to have him back.”

The O’s are taking a next man up philosophy these days after dealing with some injuries.

“Not everyone is going to stay healthy for 162 games. There is not a team out there that will be like that,” Hardy said. “So it’s a matter of other guys stepping up and filling in. We’ve got a good group of guys here that can do that.”