HOUSTON -- Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has been cleared to walk on his left foot, and will continue to stay at the team's extended spring complex for the next few days.
"We are going to re-visit that again this weekend," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Hardy's situation. "See if he's going to come home or stay a few days. Make sure he's into baseball activities before he comes back."
Hardy, who has been working his way back from a fractured foot, is still in a boot even though he's been cleared for some weight-bearing activities. Showalter said the latest step doesn't really change Hardy's initial timeline of six to eight weeks.
"Still ahead of what some people project normal. We think the healing process is almost done," Showalter said of Hardy, who was placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 2. "The problem is, you get some ligaments and tendons that have been inactive and have to start firing again. He's a little sore from that. He's off the crutches, he's walking around. He got a little sore there from walking one day, but you lay off from using your tendons in your ankle for three weeks, you are going to be a little sore the first time you get on them. He thinks he's just about over that."