Read More: J.J. Hardy (SS – BAL), Baltimore Orioles

On Sunday, we learned that Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy probably had an oblique strain that would force him to the disabled list. There was initial concern that the injury could keep Hardy on the shelf for well more than a month, but nobody wanted to say anything for sure until Hardy had his scheduled Monday MRI.

Well, Hardy’s had his scheduled Monday MRI, and it turns out things aren’t as bad as feared. Says Jeff Zrebiec:

Mri on jj hardys oblique reveals a strain. He’ll be out probably between two to three weeks.

A 2-3 week DL stint is a heck of a lot better than a six-week DL stint, and while the Orioles probably won’t feel great about handing the keys to short over to Cesar Izturis and Robert Andino, they’ll do so knowing this could have been worse.

If Hardy’s able to recover without hitting any setbacks, he should return to the starting lineup by the end of April or beginning of May.

(Sports Network) – The Baltimore Orioles try to open a season with five straight wins for the first time since 1970 this evening, when they continue their three-game series with the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards.

Baltimore continued its early-season roll on Monday, as Brian Roberts belted a three-run homer to key a four-run fifth inning that helped the Orioles to a 5-1 victory in their home opener.

Baltimore, which was also 4-0 in 1997, has yet to trail this season and has outscored its opponents by a 17-4 margin.

Jake Arrieta (1-0) earned the victory in Monday’s game, giving up one run on six hits and two walks in six strong innings. He struck out three in following the fine performances of Jeremy Guthrie, Chris Tillman and Zach Britton, who made starts in Baltimore’s three-game sweep of the reigning AL East-champion Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend.

“The starting pitching has been everything you can ask for,” said Orioles manager Buck Showalter.

The Orioles allowed just one run in each of those games as well, and the starters have pitched to a 0.69 ERA thus far.

“It’s just one of those things where you want to follow their lead,” said Arrieta. “We just want to take the ball and run with it. I think each quality outing brings confidence.”

Tigers starter Rick Porcello (0-1) took the loss on Monday, giving up all five runs on nine hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out four, but his wild pitch in the bottom of the second scored the other Baltimore run.

Guthrie was supposed to take the hill this evening following his brilliant eight-scoreless inning effort on Opening Day, but he was checked into the hospital Monday after feeling ill and has been diagnosed with pneumonia,

So instead it will be swingman Brad Bergesen getting the call tonight. He was 8-12 with a 4.98 ERA in 30 games, 28 of which have been starts, last season.

“I knew all along that I was here to fill in if needed,” Bergesen said. “When we got the bad news that Jeremy wasn’t going to be able to make the start, I figured that I was going to get that call. It’s upsetting that we’ve had two of our starters (Guthrie and Brian Matusz) go down. Hopefully, Jeremy will be back with us soon.”

Detroit, meanwhile, will turn to ace Justin Verlander, who has owned the Orioles over the course of his young career. The right-hander is a perfect 5-0 in seven starts against them, while pitching to a 2.52 ERA.

Verlander did not get a decision against the New York Yankees on Opening Day last Thursday, as he allowed three runs and three hits in six innings. He also struck out eight and walked four in his team’s 6-3 setback.

Baltimore split its 10 matchups with the Tigers last season.

The Sports Network

BRADENTON, Fla. – Baltimore Orioles right-hander Brad Bergesen, eager to put last season’s struggles behind him, tossed two solid innings Monday in a 6-4 victory against a Pittsburgh Pirates split squad.

Bergesen faced seven batters, allowed one hit and got two strikeouts. His performance in the Orioles’ spring training opener was a positive step toward locking up a spot in the starting rotation.

“I want to come in here and do what I’m capable of doing and also prove a point,” Bergesen said.

A rookie standout in 2009, Bergesen last year was hampered by injuries to his leg and shoulder. He was twice sent to the minors and finished the year 8-12 with a 4.98 ERA.

A big reason for Bergesen’s slow start was that he still was recovering from a bruised left shin when he reported to camp.

“Last year I was just rushing myself, just trying to get my arm in enough shape to be able to pitch off a mound, so it didn’t really give me that much time to work on my mechanics or get to where I needed to be,” Bergesen said. “This year, it’s a whole other story. Hopefully, I can have that time like I’ve had so far and get ready for the season the way I want to.”

Paul Maholm, already assured of a job in the Pittsburgh rotation, started for the Pirates. The left-hander worked two innings and gave up two runs on four hits.

“My main thing was to be aggressive in the zone,” Maholm said. “For the most part, that’s how the day went.”

Maholm threw only fastballs and changeups and focused on pitching inside. He struck out two and his sinker induced two groundouts.

“Pitching inside is going to be my focus for the spring and this season,” said Maholm, whose .303 opponents’ batting average was the highest in the majors last year. “I have to throw it with a purpose. You’re not going out there to hit batters, but you have to let them know you’ll come in and take back that part of the plate.”

In his Orioles debut, Vladimir Guerrero had an RBI infield single in his first at-bat. Nolan Reimold homered leading off the second inning.

“A bad sinker,” Maholm said. “I tried to paint it and wasn’t aggressive like I was with the rest of them.”

Lyle Overbay hit a solo homer for the Pirates in the fifth.

Notes: Medical exams on Pirates reliever Joe Beimel’s sore left forearm showed no structural damage. He’ll likely miss only a couple of days. … Pirates left-hander Scott Olsen, in the hunt for a rotation spot, threw a side session. It was Olsen’s third time pitching off the mound since he strained his left hamstring two weeks ago, but he hasn’t yet been cleared to return to game action. … Orioles infield prospect Joe Mahoney was scratched from making the trip. He fouled a ball off his knee during an intrasquad game Sunday.