Showalter on Gallardo, McFarland, Hardy and Jones

CLEVELAND - Yovani Gallardo will throw his simulated game Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. at Progressive Field. He's already had two bullpen sessions that left the Orioles encouraged by his progress from right shoulder tendinitis.

"I'm not sure how many innings he's going to go," said manager Buck Showalter. "They're thinking probably two or three."

Gallardo could throw another simulated game or begin an injury rehab assignment at one of the minor league affiliates.

"Wally (Dave Wallace) is keeping an open mind about that," Showalter said. "This kind of goes from the trainer's room to the baseball decision now and this is kind of a baseball thing."

T.J. McFarland, on the seven-day minor league disabled list with a left ankle injury, threw 30 pitches today in a two-inning simulated game and could start Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk.

"That went well," Showalter said.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy continues to perform exercises at extended spring training in Sarasota while recovering from a slight fracture in his left foot.

"He's moving toward baseball activities," Showalter said.

The club hasn't decided whether Hardy will meet up with the Orioles on Monday after they return to Baltimore.

"It's close," Showalter said. "I think Sunday is four weeks, which is about as good as you could possibly hope for. But I think this weekend will tell whether he's going to stay there longer or come back.

"I talked to him yesterday. He's hoping that happens soon, but you can't push it. When you're in a boot that long and not putting pressure there, when you start walking around it some there, those muscles, the ligaments and tendons, have to start firing again. He was a little sore three or four days ago, so I think this weekend he's probably going to try it again a little bit, walking around and see if that's changed."

Hardy's return to Baltimore will serve as an indication that he's ready for baseball activities.

"He could do it there, but I think there's a part ... We miss him," Showalter said. "He's great to have around. I know he wants to reconnect with our team as soon as possible and there's really nothing there he can't do with us. And we have the benefit of having J.J. around. It's like Uncle J.J. for Jon (Schoop) and Manny (Machado). I know they miss him.

"He and Gallardo, we've been without them for a while and it's been a challenge. But everybody's got that. Every team can point to that."

Showalter decided to bat slumping Adam Jones first in the order instead of leaving him in the middle, moving him down or sitting him in tonight's series opener against the Indians.

"I had about four options and that's one we picked," Showalter said. "Talked to him a little bit. Don't want to get too predictable. Like my sister used to say, it's great to be organized and prepare and all that other stuff, but every once in a while you've got to be a little spontaneous. Of course, she lives a little bit different lifestyle than I do. But I'm jealous of her. She'll live to be 100."

Jones is a career .240/.284/.281 hitter in 29 career games atop the order, including 21 starts. He has four doubles, five walks and 21 strikeouts in 102 plate appearances.

"It's just a different look for him and everybody," Showalter said. "We've had Adam and Chris (Davis) and Trum (Mark Trumbo) hitting back-to-back, and when they collectively swing and miss a lot as a group, you try to break it up a little bit. It's the first time it's really happened with all three of them, so I tried to put Matt (Wieters) in between them yesterday. But right now, everybody's having those challenges.

"You're as good as your last game and as bad as your last game. We'll see a good team here."