Hardy went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI in Thursday's road victory over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

The shortstop has an affection for playing on the road early in the 2017 season. Hardy is slashing .323/.323/.516 through eight away games, compared to a .125/.176/.125 line at Camden Yards. He's boosted his average 81 points over the last seven games by going 10-for-28 (.357) with three doubles and a home run.

Hardy went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, one RBI and scored twice Sunday in Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

The Orioles unloaded 15 hits in an 11-4 win over the struggling Jays, and Hardy didn't miss out on the action en route to raising his batting average 57 points. Entering the contest, the shortstop had just one extra-base hit (a home run) before driving a ground rule double to center field in the 5th inning and another to left field just one frame later. Hardy is now slashing .257/.278/.400, but his overall plate discipline (21.6 percent strikeout rate) through 37 plate appearances in an eyesore.

Hardy is not in the Orioles' starting lineup Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Ryan Flaherty will take over at shortstop, giving Hardy his first day off this season. It's been a rough start out of the gate for the 34-year-old, who is slashing .200/.226/.300 and ranking second on the team with eight strikeouts. Regardless, Hardy should continue seeing regular opportunities to improve.

Hardy went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's affair with the Red Sox and is now hitting .105 (2-for-19) through his first six games of 2017.

EDGE Analysis

Just a game removed from notching his first RBI and walk of the campaign, the O's shortstop went right back to looking awful at the plate. Hardy has been batting ninth in the order for all but one game, and despite staying strikeout-free for the first time all season on Tuesday, the veteran owns an ugly 33.3 percent strikeout rate.

Hardy has fully recovered from the back injury that sidelined him during the first half of spring training, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The shortstop hasn't dealt with any setbacks, such as spasms or tightness, since returning to game action on Mar. 13. When asked how he felt Sunday morning, Hardy replied, "As good as I have in a long time." The 12-year veteran has logged 23 at-bats this spring (his goal is to get at least 40 before Opening Day) and hit his first Grapefruit League home run Saturday night against the Twins. Hardy launched 77 longballs during his first three years in Baltimore (2011-13), but has failed to reach the double-digit mark in any season since then. Although the 34-year-old isn't nearly as productive as he once was, Hardy still brings a level of production worthy of owning in deep leagues.

Hardy (back) will make his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Phillies, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hardy has been sidelined all spring while recovering from back spasms, but it looks like he's been cleared to play after taking live batting practice and fielding grounders over the last two days. The shortstop indicated that he wanted to get about 40 or 50 Grapefruit League at-bats in before spring training draws to a close, which should put him on track for Opening Day.

Hardy (back) fielded ground balls and hit on the field Friday, saying his back felt great, and he could play a spring game in the next few days, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The shortstop has performed limited work this spring but looks ready to make an appearance with a few weeks left before the regular season starts. If he makes it through without issues, he'll again assume his AL-only value as a playing-time-fueled yet injury-prone starting option.

Hardy (back) will fully participate in baseball activities Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hardy has been slowly eased back into action while dealing with an ailing back, but it appears the worst days are behind him. He began swinging a bat Monday and says he's nearly at full strength. The veteran shortstop will start taking grounders Friday and is likely to make his spring debut within the following days. When he does return to action, expect Hardy to see extra at-bats to get back on track for Opening Day.

Hardy (back), who's been sidelined from baseball activities for more than a month, will begin swinging a bat Monday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's been five weeks since Hardy has swung a bat or fielded ground balls. He admitted that getting back on March 10 -- as originally planned -- is unlikely, but doesn't believe it will long before he makes his spring debut. Hardy believe his back has fully healed, yet says the new challenge is getting into baseball form after sitting dormant for so long. The shortstop hopes to expedite his timetable by tracking bullpen sessions and logging extra at-bats in minor league games.

Hardy (back) participated in baseball activities Sunday morning on the back fields of Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to manager Buck Showalter, Hardy was "getting after it", implying the 12-year veteran was moving pretty well. After averaging 147 games played in each of his first four seasons with the Orioles, Hardy has failed to top 115 over his past two campaigns. With an extending spring training in the works due to the World Baseball Classic, it appears the 34-year-old shortstop should be ready well in time for Opening Day.