Orioles rumors: J.J. Hardy headed to the disabled list

The Baltimore Orioles are going to be without J.J. Hardy for the next 6-8 weeks, as he was placed on the disabled list with a hairline fracture in his left foot.

"Hardy was scheduled to undergo a CT scan after X-rays yesterday raised serious concerns within the organization. The injury was labeled a 'contusion,' but further testing was ordered.

Today's findings came as no surprise.

Hardy, 33, fouled a ball off his foot in the fourth inning, sending him to the trainers room and removing a three-time Gold Glove winner and two-time All-Star."

With Hardy's injury, Manny Machado will take over everyday duties as the shortstop. As for third base, the Orioles have recalled Ryan Flaherty, who will take over as the starter for the immediate future. While Flaherty isn't exactly an offensive threat, he's not a huge downgrade from Hardy.

In 301 plate appearances in 2015, Flaherty hit .202/.281/.356 with a wOBA of .279 and a wRC+ of 71. Not one of those statistics is above average, but all except his batting average were better than Hardy's 2015 stat line.

Hardy hasn't been an above average (by wRC+) hitter since 2011, but he's always been valuable defensively. According to DRS, he's saved 53 runs over the last six years, and had already eclipsed his 2015 value in just 188 innings this season. Flaherty on the other hand has been ok at third base, but nothing close to what Hardy would have contributed at shortstop.