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Orioles Activate SS Hardy, Designate RHP Rupe

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Baltimore Orioles activated shortstop J.J. Hardy from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and designated reliever Josh Rupe for assignment.

Hardy was placed on the DL on April 13 with a strained left oblique. Following a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Norfolk, he was in the starting lineup for Tuesday night's game against the Seattle Mariners.

"I feel fine," Hardy said. "I've played the last three games down there in Norfolk and didn't feel anything. I feel like the injury's in the past now."

Obtained during the offseason in trade with Minnesota, Hardy hit .200 in his first six games with Baltimore before the injury.

Baltimore won five of those games.

"I'm glad to get him back," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "It's been a while."

Rupe had a 5.65 ERA in nine games with Baltimore.

"We just needed to get to 12 pitchers with J.J. coming back and we felt like, basically of all the options available for us right now, that was a better fit," Showalter said.

Because Rupe lives in Virginia Beach, Showalter hoped the right-hander would be willing to pitch for the Tides if he passes through waivers.

"For his sake, if he gets claimed, I'll feel good for him there, too," Showalter said.

Rupe pitched for Kansas City last season before signing as a minor league free agent with Baltimore in November.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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