J.J. Hardy, who left Monday's game with a back injury but will play Tuesday, feels he is managing his back issues much better than he did last season, Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Hardy, who left Monday's game with a back injury but will play Tuesday, feels he is managing his back issues much better than he did last season, Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Analysis:

Back injuries cost Hardy roughly a week's worth of action two separate times last season, but the back issue that knocked him out of Monday's game did not require him sitting out even a full game, which is proof enough that he is keeping his back in better shape than he did a year ago. The back soreness could pop up again at some point this season, but -- depending on the severity, of course -- it should not require a lengthy absence like it did in 2014.