The Baltimore Orioles may be only two games out of a wild-card spot in the American League, but they can’t like their chances of gaining ground on the Texas Rangers or New York Yankees with J.J. Hardy out of action, who has been placed on the disabled list with a groin strain.
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Hardy Placed on 15-Day DL with Groin Injury
Monday, Aug. 24
The Orioles confirmed Hardy’s move to the disabled list and also designated Nolan Reimold for assignment.
“I understand the position we are in,” Hardy said via Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun on Aug. 23. “I don’t want to be having the same talk we just had. Is it going to be better tomorrow? Is it going to be better in two days? And keep dealing with that. I guess it’s just the best thing for the team, and that’s that. It sucks.”
Hardy isn’t exactly having a great year. He’s batting .220 with seven home runs and 32 runs batted in. However, the issue for Baltimore is that it doesn’t have a ready-made shortstop who can take his place in the lineup.
Ryan Flaherty will likely be the guy to take over for Hardy but has played shortstop only 49 times in his four-year MLB career, according to Baseball-Reference.com.
Hardy’s injury doesn’t preclude the Orioles from climbing to the top of the standings, but it won’t make the climb any easier.
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