Davis on his return to Camden Yards

The Orioles are braving the cold for today's workout at Camden Yards. Wool stocking caps have become part of the uniform.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy was still scheduled to take some dry swings today, the first time he's grabbed a bat since being diagnosed with a strained muscle in his left shoulder. The next step would be hitting off a tee.

Hardy is expected to go on an injury rehab assignment next week at Single-A Frederick.

Outfielder David Lough is scheduled to play nine innings in intrasquad games today and Friday in Sarasota. Barring any setbacks, he will fly to Baltimore on Saturday and either come off the disabled list or go on a rehab assignment.

Manager Buck Showalter said he hasn't heard anything that suggests the 25-man roster might change before Friday's home opener, but executive vice president Dan Duquette is "working hard" on a few things and it's possible that a trade could be completed.

First baseman Chris Davis will play in his first home game Friday since Sept. 4 against the Reds. The Orioles traveled to Tampa and Boston after that series and Davis' suspension for using Adderall without an exemption was announced on Sept. 12.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "I looked (at the schedule) to see where we started, specifically to see if we started on the road or at home. I didn't want to miss the opening day at home and I was relieved to find out we started in Tampa."

Davis only heard a smattering of boos in his first game back Monday against the Rays at Tropicana Field. He should receive a much warmer ovation during the home opener.

"I hope so," he said. "I think the feedback I've gotten from FanFest, the little bit of Twitter that I've been on, people have been pretty positive, very supportive. Spring training was great. A lot of people down there just telling me they were behind me and wish all the best for me. It's huge. That's why we come out there and play the way we play, for the fans."

Asked whether the pregame introductions will be emotional for him, Davis playfully replied, "If you see me stop halfway and just fall down and cry like a baby, that will probably answer your question."

Without a doubt.

"I think it was a little emotional just getting on the plane last night," he said. "Little things here and there that you miss that you don't realize while you're away that you really appreciate now. I hope I can hold it together. I feel like I have this image of myself as a tough guy. It would look pretty bad if the starting first baseman runs down there crying and blubbering like a baby."

Davis went 0-for-6 with three strikeouts in his two games against the Rays.

"I felt OK," he said. "My adrenaline was pretty sky high the first game. I was a little back and forth at the plate, too excited, too mellow one at-bat. I feel good as far as my swing is concerned. I think it's just a timing issue. When you take three or four days off, especially as a power hitter, it takes you a little bit of time to get back in there. But the greatest thing is I've got 159 games left to work on it."