Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is not in the starting lineup for the second day in a row due to a sprained left thumb. Before the lineup was posted today he indicated it was doubtful he would be in it. "I hope tomorrow," Hardy said. "Every day I hope I wake up and it's fine and I can play that day. Little sore today, probably about the same as yesterday. Just still trying to get past that point where I feel like I can go out and play and not hurt it worse." If he were absolutely needed at some point in tonight's game, he feels like he could play.

"If I had to, I think I could. I feel like I could alter the way I hold the bat and hit. Fielding, opening and closing my glove is a little tough. But I think I could do that." When he last played Hardy was swinging a hot bat. He went 4-for-7 with two homers in the St. Louis series. Over his last six games he is 11-for-23 with three doubles, two homers, eight runs and seven RBIs. Hardy was injured during a play at the plate on Saturday. His thumb made contact with Cardinals catcher A.J. Pierzynski. "I think so. It's hard to see in the video exactly what happened. But I think there was definitely contact there," he said. "It's frustrating if I'm not able to play. It (stinks)." For now, Hardy's return to the starting lineup will wait at least one more day. He said he was hoping at least to get in some pregame work on the field. "I kind of want to do about pretty much everything I would (normally) do," Hardy said. "I don't know how I'll be able to swing, but I want to do pretty much everything so that, when my thumb does feel better it doesn't feel like I missed anything else. "Just trying to keep it mobile right now. Not doing too much moving it around. Lot of hot and cold contrast. Hope tomorrow it feels fine and I'm able to play."