BALTIMORE -- Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy's month-and-a-half wait to return to Major League action after his left foot fracture will end Saturday. Manager Buck Showalter announced after Friday's 13-3 loss to Toronto that Hardy will be activated for Saturday's contest.
Hardy has been sidelined since May 1, but he said he made progress each day during his three-game rehab stint at Double-A Bowie this week. Running was giving him some trouble still, but his pregame workout went well Friday at Camden Yards.
"I felt I was running pretty good today," Hardy said. "Better than I expected. Today was really good. …Of course, it doesn't need to get much better than it was today, but if it gets even better than that, great."
In three rehab games with Bowie this week, Hardy went 4-for-11 (.364) with a walk.
Being away from the team for a long stretch has been tough on Hardy, who said he didn't get the Orioles' games on TV at the place where he was staying in Florida. He was left refreshing the box score of the game for updates. So he's excited to be back with the team and get a chance to contribute.
"We're looking forward to getting him back," Showalter said. "It's been a long road."
Worth noting
• Catcher Caleb Joseph (testicular injury) was cleared to try and play in both games of Frederick's doubleheader Friday as the designated hitter. Joseph won't be cleared to catch in a game until June 27, but he can catch bullpens, run and throw in addition to playing DH.
• Showalter said reliever Darren O'Day (right hamstring) had a "good day" Friday after he's been "kind of inching along." O'Day was placed on the DL on June 3 and still doesn't have a timetable for his return.
• Righty Vance Worley (groin) felt better Friday, and Showalter said he expects him to make the 15-day DL window.