MILWAUKEE - It's not enough to completely change the complexion of the lineup, but the Nationals do have to feel a little better about the state of things now because they've got Anthony Rendon back 17 days after he was hit by a pitch in the left elbow. Yes, the Nationals have officially activated Rendon off the 10-day injured list. He'll be at third base and should be batting third, a major boon to the club both at the plate and in the field. The corresponding roster move: Carter Kieboom...

The Orioles invite families to spend Mother's Day Weekend at Oriole Park at Camden Yards as the Orioles take on the Los Angeles Angels from May 10-12. On Saturday, May 11 at 4:05 p.m., the Orioles will host A League of Their Own Movie Night, presented by United Concordia, when the first 20,000 fans 15 and older will receive a "There's No Crying In Baseball" t-shirt. Fans are invited to remain in the ballpark after the game to watch A League of Their Own on the center field video board. The...

Joey Rickard is starting in left field tonight and Stevie Wilkerson is in center as the Orioles continue their series against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Dwight Smith Jr. is the designated hitter. Hanser Alberto was out of the lineup last night, but he's playing second base tonight. Jonathan Villar moves to shortstop. Chris Davis is batting fifth. Austin Wynns is catching. Renato Núñez is a career .302 (19-for-63) hitter against the Red Sox, but he's on the bench tonight. David Hess...

MILWAUKEE - For the first time in a long time, the Nationals expect to be adding significant players to their active roster today instead of subtracting them. Anthony Rendon is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list. And unless something unforeseen happened late Monday night or happens over the next few hours, the star third baseman will be activated and be in the Nats' lineup for tonight's game against the Brewers. It's a major boost to a team ravaged by injuries and sorely in need...

It was impressive last night when, over seven innings, left-hander John Means shut down a hot-hitting Boston Red Sox team. A Red Sox team that scored 30 runs the previous three games and was averaging 6.1 runs the previous 16. A Boston team that, while going 8-3 over its previous 11 games, led the majors in batting average (.295), OBP (.393) and OPS (.872). A Boston team that was facing Means for the second time this year. Last night, the first six hitters in their lineup saw Means three times....

MILWAUKEE - The sleep-deprived Nationals landed in Milwaukee 16 hours later than scheduled, thanks to a travel nightmare late Sunday night and early this morning in Philadelphia. They had every reason to complain about their travails, and the fact they now had to open another tough road series while fielding an injury depleted lineup. But they chose to try to look on the bright side. They shrugged off their charter flight mechanical problems and wondered if somehow the whole experience might...

Almost a week has passed since the Orioles made a roster move, and it was done only because of a traditional doubleheader that allowed for a 26th player. Outfielder Anthony Santander joined the club Wednesday in Chicago, homered in Game 2 and returned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles haven't shaken up the roster for other reasons since they recalled reliever Yefry Ramirez from Norfolk on April 29 to fill the vacancy created by pitcher Luis Ortiz, optioned left-hander Tanner Scott after the...

Maybe a question about Orioles left-hander John Means tonight was, after pitching well once this year against Boston, could he do it twice? And then tonight after going through the lineup once, could he do that twice? What about three times? Yep, yep and yep. At least as far as they let him go. Showing his strong changeup again with a nice early pitch mix with his slider, Means shut down a hot Boston team over seven innings as the Orioles beat the Red Sox 4-1 on a night where Jonathan Villar...

A fan interference call in the first inning tonight denied Orioles second baseman Jonathan Villar a leadoff double. He stood at second base, waited through a crew chief challenge and jogged back to the dugout. The solution in his next at-bat, of course, was to hit the ball where a paying customer couldn't influence the outcome. Where he'd be able to circle the bases. Aim for the center field seats. Do it with the bases loaded. Be the one to dictate the outcome. Villar's second career grand...

MILWAUKEE - The first key injured member of the Nationals lineup is on the verge of returning to the active roster. Anthony Rendon is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list Tuesday, and manager Davey Martinez said the club is preparing for its star third baseman to be activated for the second game of this week's series against the Brewers. "He's going to hit today in the cage," Martinez said. "And then hopefully barring no setbacks, he should be ready tomorrow." Rendon, who hasn't...