Veteran right-hander Yovani Gallardo makes his second rehabilitation start on his way back from right shoulder tendinitis this afternoon in Norfolk, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter was noncommittal when asked if it would be Gallardo's final start before returning.
Gallardo is on track to return in Sunday's matinee at the Toronto Blue Jays if today is his final rehab start.
"We'll see where the opposition lets him get to," Showalter said.
Showalter said the team's rotation needs "shouldn't" determine whether Gallardo returns sooner than otherwise planned.
"If I had a choice between being productive or being healthy [tomorrow], I'll take the healthy part," Showalter said.
Hardy fields ground balls
Showalter said shortstop J.J. Hardy (fractured left foot) fielded 25 ground balls hit right at him in Sarasota, Fla., on Monday, but still won't return to the team until he resumes all baseball activities.
"As soon as he gets into full baseball activities, he will" come north, Showalter said. "As soon as he gets where they're not only doing ground balls at him — he's taking dry swings now, a little tee work, and he's moving along towards that. Until he's ready to do everything, we'll leave him there."
Around the horn
The Washington Nationals signed former Orioles infielder Steve Lombardozzi (Atholton) to a minor league deal, according to The Washington Post. Lombardozzi, who spent the beginning of this season with the Atlantic League's Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, will report to Class AAA Syracuse. … Infielder Anderlin Rodriguez and right-hander Matthew Grimes, both of High-A Frederick, were honored as the Orioles' minor league player and pitcher of the month for May, the team announced. Rodriguez, 24, hit .333/.385/.583 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in May. Grimes, an 18th-round pick in 2013, went 5-1 with a 1.12 ERA in six May starts, and hasn't allowed a run in his past 28 innings. He is 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA this season. … Orioles closer Zach Britton spent Monday visiting young cancer patients at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Division of Pediatric Oncology.