Pregame notes from Bowie on Hardy, Hobgood and Bundy

BOWIE, Md. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy, on the disabled list with a left shoulder strain, has worked out at Prince George's Stadium the last two days, taking part in drills early in the day even before the Double-A Bowie Baysox took batting practice.

"It's going great," Bowie manager Gary Kendall said. "Yesterday he took his groundballs, going through different plays and different moves to the ball. Today, he threw a bit more and turned some double plays. He feels pretty good.

"He hit a bit more today. He stood in on some live pitching. We had a live simulated game, and he tracked some pitches to see spin and velocity. No complaints and he feels like he's coming along. Tomorrow he'll hit in a normal BP group. Right now he feels like he is getting there."

There is still no date for Hardy to play in a game for Bowie, but it seems like he is getting much closer to that with each day's work. The Baysox are home through Tuesday when they'll have a homestand-ending 11 a.m. game.

Meanwhile, after Bowie pitcher Matt Hobgood's shoulder surgery on April 2, 2012, any injury issue is concerning. However, the latest issue for the right-hander seems to be minor.

Just three games into his first Double-A season, Hobgood was placed on the disabled list Friday. He threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his first two Bowie games, but gave up two runs over one inning Thursday night and then went on the DL yesterday.

But Hobgood said today the issue seems to be minor. No MRIs are planned, and he could even resume throwing sometime next week.

"I think it is just some inflammation," he said this afternoon. "Maybe just trying to get used to the intensity of the season. I don't think it is anything serious."

The Orioles' first-round pick in 2009 (fifth overall), Hobgood missed two weeks with Single-A Frederick last year due to shoulder tightness and then returned.

While he is on the DL, he will become a father for the first time. His wife Katie is scheduled to have labor induced tomorrow, and the couple is expecting the arrival of their first child, a son.

On the mound tonight, right-hander Dylan Bundy will make his second start of the 2015 season when the Baysox (4-5) host the Erie Seawolves (5-4) at 6:35 p.m.

Bundy is being limited to shorter outings early in the year to have more available innings for use late in the season.

On Monday at Harrisburg, he retired nine of the 10 batters he faced. The only hitter he didn't get out reached on an error. So, he pitched three innings of scoreless ball without allowing a hit on 34 pitches, 24 for strikes.

Tonight's Bowie lineup:
CF - Glynn Davis
DH - Derrik Gibson
RF - Sean Halton
1B - Mike McDade
LF - Quincy Latimore
C - Chris O'Brien
3B - Jason Esposito
SS - Ozzie Martinez
2B - Sharlon Schoop

RHP - Dylan Bundy