Surviving injuries will be key to several races in majors

The Orioles got catcher Matt Wieters back into their lineup Friday night in Cleveland, although second baseman Jonathan Schoop's return is still a ways off. Wieters has been out since May 10 of last season.

In Washington, infielder Anthony Rendon, who finished fifth in the National League MVP voting last season, is back with the Nationals, but the Nats are still without outfielder Jayson Werth and pitchers Doug Fister and Stephen Strasburg.

Rendon had two hits in his first game back and then scored from first with a headfirst slide on a double by Wilson Ramos.

Injuries are a part of baseball. Surviving injuries is important.

Here's a look at other teams dealing with injuries:

Detroit: A few years ago, the Tigers dominated the American League Central, so players returning from injuries weren't a big deal. Now, that's all changed. The division is better than it used to be. The defending AL champion Royals are determined, the Twins are improved and the Indians' young pitching is surging. And the White Sox aren't easy to beat when Chris Sale is pitching. So the Tigers are hoping to get catcher Alex Avila, reliever Bruce Rondon, starter Justin Verlander and DH Victor Martinez back soon. Martinez, a 36-year-old switch-hitter, is key to a lineup that's struggling to score runs. Who knows what kind of pitcher Verlander will be when he returns? Avila is important defensively and with his bat. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus' job is safe for now, but if the Tigers continue to fall when all their players return, he could be fired.

Los Angeles: The Dodgers led the NL West even though two starters, three outfielders, including Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford, and a slew of relief pitchers are on the disabled list. Puig has a hamstring injury and has been out since April 24. He's played in only 11 games. Puig is the Dodgers' most exciting player, their marketing centerpiece, and yet during his absence, the Dodgers have turned into a team with a no-nonsense approach. Manager Don Mattingly likes how fundamentally sound the Dodgers are and how they are concerned with team, not individual statistics. Joc Pederson, Alex Guerrero and Andre Ethier have been doing well in the outfield, and it begs the question: Has Puig, known for out-of-control play and a me-first attitude, learned and been humbled with the Dodgers' success while he's gone?

New York: The Mets are challenging the Nationals in the NL East even though infielder Daniel Murphy became their 14th player on the disabled list with a quad strain. Murphy was also their hottest hitter (.346 in 37 games) and had moved from second to third base to replace the injured David Wright, out indefinitely with a back injury. Ruben Tejeda took over for Murphy at second and he'll stay there. The Mets will go day-to-day with in-house candidates to replace Murphy at third. The Mets are already using a six-man rotation to protect ace Matt Harvey, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery.

St. Louis: The Cardinals have the best record in the National League, despite losing their best starter (Adam Wainwright), their first baseman (Matt Adams) and a flame-throwing relief pitcher (Jordan Walden). Wainwright is out for the season with a left Achilles injury, but Lance Lynn, just as the Cardinals expected, has developed into the rotation's leader. John Lackey has been amazing and Michael Wacha, a 2013 postseason hero but injured most of last season, has come back well. The strong rotation has taken pressure off the bullpen. Former Oriole Mark Reynolds takes over at first base for Adams, whose right quad strain will keep him out for three to four months.

Kansas City: The low-budget Royals couldn't afford to keep pitcher James Shields, but they are trying to rehabilitate Kris Medlen, the former Atlanta pitcher who has trying to come back two Tommy John surgeries. So far, Medlen, 29, has pitched well in simulated games and he's on target to join the Royals rotation in July. Medlen had a 1.57 ERA in 50 appearances (12 starts) for Atlanta in 2012 and then won 15 games with a 3.11 ERA for the Braves in 2013. If the Royals have the success with Medlen that they've had with relief pitcher Ryan Madson, 34, who is pitching well in their bullpen after three years of injuries, then they will have pitching depth. And, it's still possible they will be in the market for Reds starter Johnny Cueto.

Seattle: The Mariners were a trendy pick to win the AL West, and while their offense has been dismal, injuries have weakened their rotation. Felix Hernandez is pitching well, but it will be July before help arrives in the form of Hisashi Iwakuma (strained lat) and prospect James Paxton (strained finger), who will return to the rotation. Paxton is unproven, but talented. Iwakuma won 29 games in 2013-14 and finished third in the AL Cy Young voting in 2013, the year Detroit's Max Scherzer won the award.

New York: Despite age and a roster that's creaking with injury, the Yankees are hanging around in the flawed AL East, and hoping their leadoff batter, Jacoby Ellsbury, 31, will return sooner rather than later. Ellsbury sprained his right knee when the Yankees played in Washington on May 19. He was hitting .324 with 14 stolen bases when he went down.

Houston: The first-place Astros' injuries are in the rotation. Former Oriole Scott Feldman, the most experienced guy in the rotation, is out six weeks after having right knee surgery. Former Nationals prospect Brad Peacock is recovering from a rib cage injury and is on a rehabilitation assignment. Brett Oberholtzer came off the disabled list to take Feldman's spot, but the Astros' rotation depth is thin. Their rotation has Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, prospect Lance McCullers and Roberto Hernandez.