Orioles' Hardy likely to start season on DL with shoulder strain
The Baltimore Orioles will defend their AL East pennant with a pair of All-Stars on the disabled list to start the season.
Manager Buck Showalter revealed to reporters Monday that shortstop J.J. Hardy is expected to begin the year on the DL after a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) confirmed he's suffering from a muscle strain in his left shoulder.
Hardy, who suffered the injury diving for a ground ball Friday, will be unable to participate in baseball activities for 10 days. Showalter sounded optimistic Hardy wouldn't miss too much time, but conceded the two-time All-Star will likely join catcher Matt Wieters on the DL for Opening Day.
Everth Cabrera and Ryan Flaherty are expected to compete for the starting shortstop job in Hardy's absence.