Rasmus comes off disabled list and starts tonight (updated)

The Orioles have activated Colby Rasmus from the disabled list, and he's batting sixth tonight and playing right field.

Rasmus appeared in only eight games with the Orioles after signing a minor league deal and was 2-for-21 with 13 strikeouts. He batted .275 with two home runs in 15 games combined with Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie on his rehab assignment.

Outfielder Joey Rickard was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Reliever Richard Bleier was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Rasmus on the 40-man roster.

Steve Wilkerson is making his first major league start. He's at third base.

Trey Mancini is out of the lineup.

The Orioles have scored 24 runs in their last four games, but they get Max Scherzer tonight. He's 10-3 with a 2.06 ERA and 0.844 WHIP in 15 starts, and he's struck out 152 batters in 100 2/3 innings. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is averaging a career-low 5.5 hits per nine innings and a career-high 13.6 strikeouts.

Scherzer has posted a 1.95 ERA and 0.711 WHIP in seven home starts and opponents are batting .144. He faced the Orioles on May 30 at Camden Yards and allowed only two hits with 12 strikeouts in eight scoreless innings.

Over 11 career starts against the Orioles, Scherzer has gone 6-2 with a 2.87 ERA and 0.983 WHIP and struck out 97 batters in 78 1/3 innings.

Adam Jones is 13-for-35 (.371) with three doubles and four home runs lifetime against Scherzer. Chris Davis is 10-for-30 (.333) with a double and home run, but he's out of the lineup for the eighth consecutive game.

Manny Machado is 2-for-25 (.080) with a double, a home run and 12 strikeouts. Mark Trumbo is 1-for-16 (.063) with nine strikeouts. Jace Peterson is 3-for-20 (.150) with a double and nine strikeouts. Jonathan Schoop is 3-for-17 (.176) with a double and 11 strikeouts.

Orioles starter Kevin Gausman has struck out 22 batters in his last three starts over 17 2/3 innings.

Gausman is 3-1 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.435 WHIP in four career starts against the Nationals spanning 23 innings. He's allowed 10 runs and 16 hits in 10 innings at Nats Park.

Bryce Harper, who has two hits in his last 32 at-bats in his last nine games to lower his average to .209, is 3-for-7 lifetime versus Gausman. Trea Turner is 3-for-3.

For the Orioles
Jace Peterson LF
Adam Jones CF
Manny Machado SS
Mark Trumbo 1B
Jonathan Schoop 2B
Colby Rasmus RF
Caleb Joseph C
Steve Wilkerson 3B
Kevin Gausman RHP

For the Nationals
Bryce Harper RF
Trea Turner SS
Anthony Rendon 3B
Juan Soto LF
Mark Reynolds 1B
Michael A. Taylor CF
Wilmer Difo 2B
Pedro Severino C
Max Scherzer RHP

MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski is handing the game coverage tonight. I'm joining the team in Atlanta.

Update: The Orioles announced that Pedro Álvarez cleared waivers and was outrighted to Norfolk. Knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa came off the minor league disabled list and was assigned to Bowie. And outfielder Ryan McKenna was promoted to Bowie.