Santander reinstated from IL (plus lineups)

The Orioles reinstated outfielder Anthony Santander from the injured list today, the obvious corresponding roster move after they optioned Ryan McKenna to Triple-A Norfolk.

Santander is in tonight's lineup against the Nationals in D.C., batting cleanup and playing right field.

He's going to be facing Stephen Strasburg, who's coming off the injured list.

Santander has been on the IL since April 20 with a sprained left ankle.

"Basically, the timetable was two-to-four weeks depending on how I was feeling after that second week and moving forward. But the important thing now is I'm back," Santander said today via interpreter Felipe Alou Jr. in a Zoom call.

"I want to thank God. I've heard of other injuries where the ankle actually breaks. Mine was just a severe strain, so I'm very thankful to God and the training that did their part for me to get back on track."

The Orioles were 9-17 with Santander out of the lineup. They've lost 10 of 12 games since John Means' no-hitter.

"It's been pretty tough, pretty frustrating, especially when you're not on the field trying to help your teammates out," Santander said, "but this is a game of adjustments and we're here to get back on track."

Last year's Most Valuable Oriole was batting .196/.230/.321 with a double, two home runs, two walks and 17 strikeouts in 62 plate appearances.

"This is a game of adjustments," he said. "There's times when you're hot at the plate, there's other times when you're cold. Right now the main thing is that I'm back on the field and ready to help my team out and ready to work hard every day to make those adjustments and help my team out."

Stevie Wilkerson is starting at second base and Chance Sisco is catching. Ryan Mountcastle is on the bench with no designated hitter in the National League.

Trey Mancini has tallied at least one RBI in six straight games, tying the longest streak of his career. He's done it three times, most recently Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2018.

Mancini leads the majors with 39 RBIs. He's 11-for-25 (.440) with four doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs, five walks and six runs scored during a seven-game hitting streak.

Jorge López is 1-4 with a 6.35 ERA and 1.412 WHIP in his eight starts. He's never started against the Nationals, but in three relief appearances allowed three earned runs (four total) with no walks and nine strikeouts in nine innings.

Strasburg allowed seven earned runs (eight total) and nine hits in 10 innings and went on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. He walked seven batters and struck out 11.

The damage came in his second start in St. Louis after he shut out the Braves on one hit over six innings.

Strasburg has made five career starts against the Orioles and posted a 5.48 ERA and 1.217 WHIP in 23 innings.

Maikel Franco is 12-for-32 (.375) with three home runs lifetime against Strasburg.

The Orioles are beginning a three-city, 10-game road trip tonight that includes stops in Minnesota and Chicago.

Thomas Eshelman originally was listed as Norfolk's starter tonight, but Conner Greene is getting the assignment.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays LF
Trey Mancini 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Freddy Galvis SS
Maikel Franco 3B
Stevie Wilkerson 2B
Chance Sisco C
Jorge López RHP

For the Nationals
Trea Turner SS
Juan Soto RF
Josh Bell 1B
Kyle Schwarber LF
Starlin Castro 3B
Josh Harrison 2B
Yan Gomes C
Stephen Strasburg RHP
Andrew Stevenson CF