The Baltimore Orioles will be just fine, thanks, without Manny Machado.

The worst-case scenario? Machado’s four-game suspension, which was handed down Thursday by MLB along with a $2,500 fine (for the record, that’s less than half an inning’s salary for Adam Jones, who said that he’ll foot the bill for his teammate) is quickly upheld (Machado’s appealing) and Machado has to do his time prior to the return of J.J. Hardy, who’s still rehabbing from a broken foot suffered May 1. In this case, defensive whiz Paul Janish -- he of the extremely light bat -- would likely play shortstop in Machado’s absence with utility man Ryan Flaherty continuing to hold down the fort at third, where he has been the go-to guy since Hardy went down and Machado slid over to short.

The middle-case scenario? Machado’s suspension for his brawl with Kansas City's Yordano Ventura is upheld in full, but the appeal process drags on until after Hardy returns. The only other time Machado was suspended, back in June 2014, his appeal took nearly three weeks before a final decision was made. Three weeks from Thursday would be June 30, which is eight and a half weeks after Hardy broke his foot. At the time of the diagnosis, reports indicated that the Gold Glove shortstop would be out anywhere from four to eight weeks. So far, we’re at just under six weeks. So if Machado’s appeal takes three weeks, there’s a reasonable possibility Hardy could be back in time to step in for the guy who stepped in for him at short.

The best-case scenario? Machado’s appeal drags on until after Hardy returns and results in a reduced suspension. On the one hand, this is splitting hairs, as the difference between a four-game ban and a two- or three-gamer isn’t much. On the flip side, Machado has been playing MVP baseball over the first third of the season, so every game he’s on the field makes the first-place Orioles a better team. Much better.

All that said, no matter which scenario rears its head, the O’s will likely adapt and adjust. After all, they’re used to adversity. In 2014, they lost Machado for the final 44 regular-season games (knee injury), All-Star catcher Matt Wieters for the final 128 games (Tommy John surgery) and then-reigning home run champ Chris Davis for the final 17 games. Still, they racked up 96 wins and went to the American League Championship Series.

This season, they’ve already survived the loss of Hardy, starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (out since April with shoulder issues), All-Star setup man Darren O'Day (strained hamstring) and backup catcher Caleb Joseph (testicular injury). Actually, they’ve done more than survive; they’ve thrived.

If you don’t believe it, just check the standings.