Showalter with updates on McFarland and Hardy

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said left-hander T.J. McFarland is heading to Baltimore for an MRI on his left knee tomorrow. He was injured in a start for Triple-A Norfolk last night and left that outing after allowing two runs in the first inning.

"He'll see Dr. (Michael) Jacobs afterward and we'll be on the safe side and see what we're dealing with," Showalter said. "T.J. texted with Brady (Anderson) last night and felt he would only need to miss two or three days. Now, I've had people say that before and they had surgery. So, we'll wait. Let's see what the doctors say tomorrow. We should know something tomorrow, late afternoon. I like T.J. We've got other pitchers in our minor leagues. We do. Contrary to what some people may want to think."

Showalter said shortstop J.J. Hardy is continuing his rehab in Sarasota. He is on the disabled list with a hairline fracture in his left foot.

"He's doing good. I think it will be a little sooner (when he can return) than everybody thought," he said.

Showalter said left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, who was signed by the Orioles on April 29th, threw a two-inning simulated game in Florida and the results were quite positive.

"He had a good outing and threw the ball well. It was good to see. Scott McGregor (O's pitching rehab coordinator) gave us an update on him and he was impressed with him," Showalter said.

Rodriguez, 37, is 97-98 with a 4.10 ERA in 11 major league seasons with the Astros, Pirates and Rangers. He made 15 starts among his 17 appearances with Texas last summer, going 6-4 with a 4.90 ERA.

Showalter today again remarked how strong the Orioles' defense was in Friday's 9-4 win.

"Every player on the field last night for us made an above-average defensive play," he said. "I don't think I've seen that. Matt (Wieters) made a great tag. C.D. (Chris Davis) made two or three plays. Jon (Schoop) made a great slow hopper. Manny (Machado) barehanded a ball. (Paul) Janish played third base (well). Nolan (Reimold) made a great throw to second base. Adam (Jones) ran a ball down in right-center. (Joey) Rickard made a great throw and cut a ball off down the line. And the pitcher made a good play on a comebacker. You don't see that in games much. People ask me after games about the home runs, but that is what I take from it. Because that allows you to be consistent."