Orioles' J.J. Hardy is headed to the disabled list; Steve Pearce returns from same

The groin injury that led to J.J. Hardy initially being out of the lineup on Sunday afternoon is going to land him on the disabled list after all. The Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly reported the pending roster move after Sunday's loss.

The phrase that comes to mind is closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. Arguably, having to manage around that injury is what cost the Orioles a chance to win Sunday's game. Hardy was inserted into the game in the ninth inning and was involved as a seeing eye single snuck into left field to tie the game.

Does a full strength Hardy get to that ball? If Ryan Flaherty hadn't been pinch hit for, does he make the play? I don't know. But Hardy got a hit in the 11th inning and according to Connolly, felt discomfort in his groin while running. That may have contributed to what seemed like a curious move of sending out a pinch runner only after Hardy had reached second base, with two outs.

Of course, that move forced the Orioles to use Manny Machado at shortstop and Jimmy Paredes at third base; both of those guys committed errors that contributed to the Twins getting the go-ahead run in the 12th inning. With Hardy healthy or at least not hitting .222/.253/.315, these problems are not happening.

In his post-game interview, manager Buck Showalter spoke of the need to add a pitcher to the bullpen for Monday's game so there's a fresher reliever out there. MASN's Roch Kubatko indicated that the O's will add a reliever as well as activate Steve Pearce while placing Hardy on the disabled list. That probably means either Mychal Givens or T.J. McFarland is ticketed for a short minor league stay.

The reliever looks to be Jorge Rondon, who according to Norfolk beat writer David Hall left the clubhouse in the middle of Sunday's game in Norfolk - probably a sign that he's headed to join the team in Kansas City.