Quick hits from Camden Yards

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy could be activated from the disabled list on Saturday after working out for about an hour today at Camden Yards.

The alternative is to send Hardy to Single-A Frederick this weekend and continue his rehab assignment. He played in three games at Double-A Bowie and stayed on the field for nine innings last night.

Hardy went 4-for-11 with a walk and strikeout at Bowie. The Orioles are letting him decide whether he's ready to come off the disabled list after fracturing his left foot on May 1.

"We're leaning on J.J. on this," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's moving around real good on defense."

The final test for Hardy is running the bases without discomfort or any restrictions. He wants to be able to score from second base on a single and from first base on a double.

The Orioles aren't certain whether Manny Machado will go through with his hearing on Tuesday or drop his appeal and begin serving a four-game suspension for charging the mound and throwing a punch at Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura.

The club will have to play a man short during the suspension, but having Hardy back lessens the impact.

It seems unlikely that Machado's suspension will be reduced, since Major League Baseball didn't impose a stricter penalty. Four games is reasonable considering the circumstances and past punishments.

Showalter said he already spoke to Machado about moving back to third base after Hardy returns. He wasn't going to wait.

The Orioles will need to make a roster move to accommodate Hardy, and another one on Saturday when Yovani Gallardo comes off the disabled list.

Catcher Caleb Joseph will serve as the designated hitter for Single-A Frederick today and could handle those duties in both ends of the doubleheader. However, he still won't be cleared to catch until June 27.

Reliever Darren O'Day, on the disabled list with a strained hamstring, had a "good day," according to Showalter. The recovery process has been slow.

"You could tell he felt a lot better about it," Showalter said.

Showalter still believes that reliever Vance Worley will be ready to come off the disabled list when his 15 days are up. He's sidelined with a strained right groin muscle.

Orioles pitchers will be on the field early Saturday for fielding drills and to work on holding runners.

Pitchers have accounted for 10 of the club's 37 errors.

Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista was placed on the 15-day disabled list today with a toe injury.

For the Blue Jays
Ezequiel Carrera RF
Josh Donaldson 3B
Edwin Encarnaction DH
Michael Saunders LF
Russell Martin C
Justin Smoak 1B
Kevin Pillar CF
Ryan Goins SS
Darwin Barney 2B

Aaron Sanchez RHP