SPORTS BBA-REDSOX-ORIOLES 5 BZ

Baltimore Orioles' J.J. Hardy, top, awaits the throw from first baseman Chris Davis as Boston Red Sox's Mookie Betts steals second despite being picked off first base in the ninth inning on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md. Betts later scored the Red Sox's final run of the game. The Red Sox defeated the Orioles 7-3. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/TNS)

 Kenneth K. Lam

Sabino grad J.J. Hardy has missed two months of Baltimore Orioles action, sidelined with a wrist injury. He is now playing shortstop at Triple-A Norfolk in a rehab assignment. His September return to Baltimore will have significant bearing: the O’s must decide whether to pick up Hardy’s $18 million option for 2018, or pay him $2 million and let him walk. Hardy turned 35 on Aug. 19. 

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Contact sports columnist Greg Hansen at 520-573-4362 or ghansen@tucson.com. On Twitter: @ghansen711