NEW YORK — J.J. Hardy is making his third minor-league rehab start tonight for Double-A Bowie, and manager Buck Showalter indicated that the Orioles shortstop could rejoin the team and be activated from the disabled list when it opens a four-game series against the New York Yankees on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium.
"It's possible," said Showalter, who spoke with Hardy before Wednesday's game. "We'll see how tonight goes, see how it feels. He's sore in the right places. He's not having any trouble in his shoulder, knock on wood. If he stayed down there two weeks on rehab, which you really can't do, you're going to have to make some adjustments in the big leagues offensively especially. It's just a part of it. I don't care how long you stay down there. He feels good."
Before starting his rehab assignment Monday, Hardy hadn't seen game action in more than five weeks, so it was unclear how many games he'd need to regain comfort in the batter's box. Showalter said the Orioles pulled scouting reports of the Baysox's opponent, the Akron RubberDucks, and said Hardy is seeing hard throwers with good velocity.
So Showalter said that after just three games, Hardy and infielder Ryan Flaherty (right groin strain) could travel to New York on Thursday. Hardy could be immediately activated, but Flaherty isn't eligible to come off the DL until Friday.
"He's passed everything physically," Showalter said. "We'd lean on J.J. to a point. There are some things I wouldn't ask him that he shouldn't have to decide. It's not fair to him. When you get to know a guy like we know J.J., he knows what's needed and expected at this level so he's very close. We're just hoping we can get through tonight."
To activate Hardy, the Orioles would likely option utility infielder Rey Navarro to Triple-A Norfolk, but making space for Flaherty isn't as easy.
Flaherty provides the club with a player who can play all four infield positions and both corner-outfield spots. Before his injury, Flaherty had taken over starting second base duties following the injury to Jonathan Schoop.
The Orioles need his defense at second, but there isn't much flexibility on the roster among position players. Everth Cabrera, who has been starting at shortstop in Hardy's absence, does have a minor-league option.
Showalter didn't rule out the possibility of temporarily going with an 11-man pitching staff. If the Orioles go that route, they'd likely either option right-hander Kevin Gausman to Triple-A or let Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia go.
"It's one of the many options we're considering, but we don't have to do it until Friday," Showalter said. "I hope we have that issue. Regardless of what we do tomorrow, it really won't affect that."
Other items of note:
-- Even though Steve Pearce is out of the starting lineup for the second straight game with a stomach virus, Showalter said he is close to returning. Showalter said that Pearce likely would've started at designated hitter if the Orioles weren't in a National League park.
"Stevie's just about there," Showalter said. "In an American League game, he'd probably DH. We can bring him off the bench tonight. He's actually going to take batting practice. He's holding food down and things have slowed to a drip."
-- Matt Wieters (Tommy John surgery) was the DH in an extended spring game on Wednesday and is expected to catch six to seven innings on Thursday.
-- Left-hander Wesley Wright (left trapezius strain) is slated to throw off a full mound for the first time on Monday.
-- Top pitching prospect Hunter Harvey is scheduled to throw three innings on Monday.
-- Orioles minor-league pitcher and former Notre Dame basketball standout Pat Connaughton will attend the NBA Draft combine from May 12-17 in hopes of being selected in the June 26 draft. The Orioles have supported Connaughton's NBA aspirations and Showalter said the Orioles have been told that if he doesn't have an NBA opportunity, he will report back to the team.
eencina@baltsun.com
twitter.com/EddieInTheYard