Report: Baltimore Orioles SS J.J. Hardy looking at Monday return

Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy will miss his second straight game Sunday because of back spasms but hopes to be back in the lineup Monday when the first-place O’s open a series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Roch Kubatko of Mid-Atlantic Sports Network reported via Twitter:

Hardy took a day off on Tuesday before playing Wednesday and Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds and in Friday’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

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But after a 1-for-3 performance Friday, Hardy did not play Saturday. It makes sense to rest the back on the turf of the Trop.

Baltimore has the largest division lead in the majors, 8½ games over the New York Yankees in the American League East . We’re not quite at the point of talking magic numbers yet, but the Orioles’ is 14.

Hardy, a two-time All-Star, is hitting .281/.320/.392 in 128 games this season, with 26 doubles, nine home runs and 52 RBI.

His power is markedly down this season—in three previous years in Baltimore, Hardy has clubbed 30, 22 and 25 home runs, respectively.

Hardy as a second-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2001 and made his big-league debut with Milwaukee in 2005.

Baltimore acquired Hardy from the Minnesota Twins in December 2010 along with infielder Brendan Harris in exchange for pitchers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson.