The Orioles will have Chris Davis back in the lineup today for the first time since April 25. He's been activated off the disabled list and he's batting third this afternoon against Houston. Does manager Buck Showalter expect Davis' timing to be off a bit at the plate at the start? "No. I'm not expecting that," Showalter said today. "I wouldn't activate him if... like yesterday I was talking to (Bowie manager) Gary Kendall. I said, 'Gary, field might be wet, but if he can't play...

To make room for Chris Davis on the 25-man roster, the Orioles have placed catcher Matt Wieters on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. Wieters hasn't caught since May 4 and has been limited to serving as the Orioles' designated hitter in each of his last four games because of the injury. Wieters was expected to avoid a trip to the disabled list after being examined by renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday. But with the combination of Wieters' health...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated infielder Chris Davis from the 15-day disabled list and placed catcher Matt Wieters on the 15-day DL with a right elbow strain. Davis was placed on the DL, retroactive to April 26, with a left oblique strain. He batted .250 (19-76) with two home runs and 13 RBI in 22 games for the Orioles. Davis went 1-for-4 with a run scored in a rehab game for Double-A Bowie last night. Wieters, 27, has batted .308/.339/.500 with five home runs and 18...

OAKLAND - Get ready for a remarkable piece of information. You prepared? Even though we're just 35 games into the 2014 season, five of the Nationals' starting opening day position players have already landed on the disabled list. Adam LaRoche, Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, Wilson Ramos and Denard Span. That's five of the eight. And that doesn't even include fourth starter Doug Fister, who missed six weeks on the DL, and reserve outfielder Scott Hairston, who also missed time while on...

The Orioles will activate first baseman Chris Davis from the disabled list before today's game against the Astros. He's in the lineup batting third. Five reserves are listed on the lineup card, so we're waiting for a corresponding roster move. David Lough is in left field. Steve Clevenger is catching again today and Nelson Cruz is at designated hitter. No Matt Wieters, who's one of the listed reserves. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter grabbed a late flight to Dallas following Friday night's game, attended his son Nathan's graduation from Texas Christian University yesterday afternoon and flew back into Baltimore for last night's 10-inning win over the Astros. For a brief moment, Showalter forgot that he'd have to sleep fast, to borrow one of his favorite expressions. The Orioles are playing a day game. Oh well. Sleep's overrated anyway. Steve Clevenger probably won't catch after...

Jinx alert, here comes the mention of streaks. The Orioles have won five games in a row and they've all been games decided by one or two runs. They have now won nine straight games decided by one or two runs. Their record in one- and two-run games is 13-6. Here is a real good streak note: Orioles starting pitchers have gone 12 straight games allowing three or fewer earned runs with an ERA of 3.04 in that stretch. That is impressive. If mention of streaks makes you nervous, what are you...

OAKLAND - This was a tough one. The Nationals led 3-1 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, with their closer on the hill who had delivered 25 consecutive scoreless innings. Tanner Roark had thrown 7 2/3 stellar innings, and the Nats were on their way to securing at least one game of a tough three-game set against the A's. Instead, they left O.Co Coliseum with a 4-3, 10-inning loss. Rafael Soriano surrendered two runs in the ninth, then Drew Storen allowed the game-winning run in the...

OAKLAND - Just as it looked like the Nationals were starting to get healthier, they'll lose one of their most productive hitters for at least 15 days. Manager Matt Williams announced after tonight's 4-3 walk-off loss to the A's that Adam LaRoche will have to be placed on the 15-day DL with a right quad strain. LaRoche underwent an MRI earlier today, and after examination of the test results, the Nats have decided to shut their first baseman down for the time being. "It's high quad, hip...

Anyone questioning whether shortstop J.J. Hardy has recovered from his earlier hamstring injury is invited to check the video of the 10th inning. Hardy reached on an infield hit with one out and scored from first base on Steve Clevenger's double to right field, giving the Orioles a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Astros and a five-game winning streak. "I'm going as fast as I can and then I'm just going to pick up Bobby (Dickerson) as I get to third and let him make the decision, and that's...