Hardy on his return to the active roster

CLEVELAND - J.J. Hardy rounded a corner in the visiting clubhouse this afternoon and stared at the lineup card posted on a wall near his locker. Hardy pretty much knew that he wouldn't be starting on his first day off the disabled list, but at least he found his name within the batch of reserves.

It beats the disabled list.

The Orioles activated Hardy earlier today and he's in uniform for the first time since June 18, as the Orioles open a three-game series against the Indians at Progressive Field.

"It feels good," he said. "It definitely has been a long road, a little bit longer than I expected, but it does feel good to be back."

Hardy said he's been in full health within the last couple of few days.

"My body is feeling good," he said. "Arm's feeling good. There were a few different issues when I was coming back. The wrist was better before my shoulder was better and then my elbow started acting up. I had a few things but that's all healed now."

What remains is finding out how Hardy will be used, shortstop now belonging to Tim Beckham.

"I don't have any expectations," he said. "I'm just going to prepare myself and be ready for whatever he wants me to do."

Beckham has hit safely in 31 of 35 games with the Orioles and his batting .359 with 10 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 20 RBIs.

"Amazing. Absolutely amazing," Hardy said. "We played against him for the last few years and I've seen a lot of improvements just playing against him, and for him to get the opportunity to play every day over here at shortstop, what he's done has been pretty impressive."

Sitting on the bench while healthy will be unusual for Hardy. He expects to get in some games late for defensive purposes. Otherwise, he has no idea what's going to happen.

"Yeah, it will be new," he said. "It will be new to me, but I'll be ready to do whatever I can to help."

Manager Buck Showalter always has favored Hardy and will try to find ways to utilize him. The trust factor is big on this team.

"It's nice," Hardy said. "He's always been very confident in me, in the team, so yeah, I'm just happy to be back and whatever he wants me to do, that's what I'll prepare to do.

"I've been around the team for most of it and it's been fun watching them play. They've been doing a great job. But then the times I was away it was hard, so now that I'm back and I'm able to be part of it and maybe get in the game, it definitely feels good."