Orioles likely to add Weeks to the roster

NEW YORK -- Manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles will make a roster move in advance of Wednesday's series finale against the Yankees, and the Virginia Pilot reported that infielder Jemile Weeks has left the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, presumably to join the O's in New York.

Whose place on the active roster Weeks takes is still unclear, as shortstop J.J. Hardy -- who has missed four of the team's past five games with back spasms -- appears to be progressing well. Hardy said after Tuesday's game he hopes to start on Wednesday in the series finale vs. the Yankees.

"Not me, I don't think," Hardy said about his possible involvement in a transaction. "They haven't told me anything. I made big strides today. I had spasms in a big area that kind of moved to a small area, and that's normally what happened back in the day. I was really hoping for the [Sacroiliac] joint to release today. It didn't, but when it does, that's kind of the last step for me."

Showalter said Hardy was available on Tuesday, though the O's were fortunate he wasn't needed in a blowout 14-5 win over New York.

"It would have been tough," Hardy said. "I could have in an emergency situation. I would have been able to go out there, but it wouldn't have been easy."

Weeks, who was acquired from Oakland for Jim Johnson, gives the Orioles another option at second base, which has primarily been played by Steve Lombardozzi.