Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is in the lineup Tuesday against the Houston Astros after leaving Monday's game with a back injury, according to the team's official website.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is in the lineup Tuesday against the Houston Astros after leaving Monday's game with a back injury, according to the team's official website. Hardy felt tightness in his back Monday, but it was never considered a serious issue.

Hardy departed Monday's win over the Astros with back tightness.

The shortstop left after going 1-for-3 with a single and a strikeout. Little information is known about the situation, so Hardy should be considered day-to-day until further notice.

Hardy is out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins, Rich Dubroff of CSN Baltimore reports.

Manager Buck Showalter just wanted Hardy to receive some maintenance with the Orioles slated to play day games on Monday and Wednesday during their upcoming series against the Astros. Everth Cabrera will step in to man shortstop Sunday.

Hardy was 2-for-3 with a solo home run in a losing effort against the Angels on Friday night.

He returned to the lineup last week after missing the first few weeks of the season with a strained muscle in his shoulder. He is hitting just .214 but he does have a pair of home runs now, and appears to be fully healthy.

Hardy was 1-for-3 with a walk and a pair of runs scored in a losing effort against the Yankees on Friday night.

Hardy appears to be back in good health, and has played in back-to-back games after coming off the disabled list Thursday. He should be good to get in your fantasy lineup for upcoming games.

Hardy (shoulder) will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Yankees, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

Hardy is finally ready for his 2015 debut, following a three-game rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie. He went 4-for-12 during his brief stint in the minors, and he said earlier this week that his shoulder feels fine. With Hardy rejoining the team, Everth Cabrera will be knocked back to a utility role.

Hardy (shoulder) could rejoin the team in time for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Hardy has reported feeling fine after starting a rehab assignment and appears to be nearing a return. Even if he's not ready to go by Thursday, an activation either Friday or over the weekend now seems likely at this point.

Hardy (shoulder) "felt fine" after the first game of his rehab assignment Monday and is expected to play in the next two games at Double-A Bowie, Steve Melewski of MASN reports.

Hardy went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Monday. It remains to be seen when the Orioles will reactivate Hardy, but he will play at least two more games at Bowie before making his 2015 big league debut.

Hardy (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Monday at Double-A Bowie, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Hardy is expected to play in three games for Bowie before the Orioles decide on the next course of action. He's yet to play this season after suffering a shoulder strain late in spring training.

Hardy (shoulder) may make his first rehab appearance as soon as Monday, MASN Sports reports.

The length of Hardy's rehab assignment is in question, but it will probably be about a week since he has not played since March. Hardy is not taking batting practice, fielding and throwing, so he is doing all the necessary baseball activities and Monday's target date seems like a good bet.

Hardy (shoulder) will take some dry swings and do tee work Wedensday, and will travel with the team this weekend before possibly going on a rehab assignment next week, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Hardy's shoulder reportedly feels better following a cortisone shot Saturday, and it appears as though he may finally be nearing a rehab assignment. The veteran shortstop hasn't played in a game yet this season, but Everth Cabrera - who was added in the offseason - has filled in during his absence. However, Hardy should secure the everyday duties at shortstop once he returns.

Hardy (shoulder) hopes to hit later in the week and then begin a rehab assignment, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Earlier reports pegged Wednesday as a possible start date for Hardy's rehab assignment, but it appears now that it may come later in the week. Whenever he is able to begin a minor league stint, Hardy will likely need only three or four games before rejoining the big league club.

Hardy (shoulder) won't begin a rehab assignment until at least Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

It was reported earlier in the day that Hardy would require around three or four rehab games before he would be activated from the DL, so based on that timetable, it doesn't sound like the shortstop would be able to return to the Orioles until next week at the earliest. Everth Cabrera remains Hardy's primary replacement at shortstop until further notice.

Hardy (shoulder) will likely need 3-4 rehab games to return to the Orioles, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports.

The Orioles' Triple-A affiliate Norfolk has a four-game series starting Monday that Hardy could use for rehab, which would allow a May 1 return at the latest. Hardy hasn't seen a major-league field since spring training, so there could be a rusty period though.

Hardy (shoulder) is headed back to Baltimore after his planned batting practice session with Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday was canceled due to rain, David Hall of the Virginian-Pilot reports.

There was some hope that Hardy would be able to start up with a rehab assignment with Norfolk if all went well in batting practice, but mother nature had other plans. Hardy is expected to continue his workouts with the major league club for now, but the team may send him back out to an affiliate in short order. Hardy has yet to play this season due to a left shoulder injury.

Hardy (shoulder) may play for Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday night depending on how well his morning batting practice session goes, David Hall of The Virginia-Pilot reports.

Hardy is currently listed on the 15-day DL as he continues to work his way back from a strained muscle under his shoulder blade. Further news on Hardy should be released sometime ahead of Norfolk's game on Saturday.

Manager Buck Showalter indicated a desire for Hardy (shoulder) to go on a rehab assignment at some point next week, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports.

Hardy continues to wait until his shoulder remains pain free for multiple days, which apparently hasn't happened yet. His time on a rehab assignment likely won't last too long, but it sounds like a late-April or early-May return is the aim.

Hardy (shoulder) will join Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday to field grounders and take batting practice, David Hall of the Virginian-Pilot reports.

While Hardy is not expected to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, his move from Baltimore to Norfolk indicates that he's getting closer. It's also a good sign that he'll take batting practice, as he has recently been limited to hitting off a tee and fielding ground balls. The Orioles likely still hope to have Hardy back by the end of April, or at the very least, early in May.

Hardy (shoulder) was able to hit off a tee and take ground balls, but has yet to participate in live batting practice, Rich Dubroff of CSN Baltimore reports.

Hardy is definitely taking a step in the right direction, but remains without a clear timetable for a return. Once he's cleared for live batting practice, the next step in his recovery will likely be to schedule a series of rehab games. The Orioles are already short an infielder with Jonathan Schoop (knee) on the disabled list, so any help they can get will be welcome.

Hardy (shoulder) took ground balls and batting practice Friday, and will do so again Saturday, but remains without a date for a rehab assignment, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Hardy's timetable remains unclear at this point, but he's finally making some progress. He'll eventually go on a rehab assignment, and a few games in the minors should lead to a return to the major league roster. However, the club should provide an update as his return date draws nearer.