Updates on Hardy, Joseph and Gallardo (plus KC lineup)

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy fielded 25 ground balls hit directly at him this morning in Sarasota to further test his fractured left foot.

Hardy has been throwing, taking dry swings and hitting off a tee. He's making progress that continues to encourage the Orioles.

"He's out there moving around a little bit. That's good to see," said manager Buck Showalter.

Hardy will come back to Baltimore "as soon as he gets into full baseball activities," Showalter said. "As soon as he gets where there's not only ground balls at him. He's moving along toward that. But until he's ready to do everything, we'll leave him there.

"We've got about a three- or four-day gap between the time that extended spring ends and the Gulf Coast starts, so we're going to keep an eye on that. Those people do need a little time off. That's been going on since February. We can invent something for him to do. It would be nice to think that that gap will be filled by something here, but we'll see."

Catcher Caleb Joseph is cleared to do most baseball activities since undergoing surgery for a testicular injury, but he isn't allowed to catch until four weeks have passed.

"That's before the end of the month," Showalter said. "He'll be doing everything else hopefully except taking the risk of catching. I don't know how we simulate that. I refuse to smile when I say it."

Yovani Gallardo and special assignment pitching instructor Ramon Martinez are flying to Norfolk today for the right-hander's noon start on Tuesday against the Durham Bulls.

"He had a choice between noon in Norfolk or night in Portland (Maine). He took the noon in Norfolk," Showalter said.

"I don't know if he made a good decision. He did scout the ballpark. (Ryan) Flaherty was trying to get him to go to Portland."

Gallardo could rejoin the Orioles' rotation after making his second injury rehab start. He'd be lined up to pitch Saturday afternoon in Toronto.

Showalter said Tuesday's start is "potentially" the final one.

"See where the opposition lets him get to," Showalter said. "I think it will be one or two more. This one or the other one, which would put him potentially against Toronto on the road. We could give him an extra day and start at home, or he could go back out and pitch somewhere on that Sunday, which would be another day game.

"He's spent a lot of time in the weight room. He's lost some weight, good weight. He's really worked hard."

Gallardo is 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA and 0.984 WHIP in three career starts against the Blue Jays, with three runs and 13 hits allowed in 20 1/3 innings. He tossed 8 1/3 scoreless innings in his only start at Rogers Centre.

The Jays still present a tremendous challenge for any pitcher, but Showalter said they're not a factor when deciding Gallardo's schedule.

"Not at all," he said. "It's the big leagues. It's the American League East. That's what it is. It isn't changing. We're playing the defending world champions tonight. It never stops."

This is going to be Gallardo's first start since April 22, which also doesn't influence which opponent he faces upon his return.

"He's pitched in the majors for quite a bit in his career," Showalter said. "Yovani wants to get back. He's champing at the bit. If I had a choice between being productive and being healthy tomorrow, I'll take the healthy part.

"I'm sure he'll get to bed early tonight and be ready to go."

Kevin Gausman's quality start yesterday was only the sixth from the rotation in the last 20 games. Could the issues change how the Orioles evaluate Gallardo on Tuesday?

"You mean all he's got to do is show up and be breathing and he's in it?" Showalter asked. "I'm just being frank. No, it shouldn't and I'd like to think it doesn't. If he's ready ... That's why Ramon's going and Mike Griffin's there and of course R.J. (Ron Johnson).

"If he feels good, are you going to base it on performance or how he feels? You hope you get both, but ..."

For the Royals
Alcides Escobar SS
Whit Merrifield 2B
Lorenzo Cain CF
Eric Hosmer 1B
Salvador Perez DH
Paulo Orlando RF
Cheslor Cuthbert 3B
Jarrod Dyson LF
Drew Butera C

Danny Duffy LHP