Updates on Beckham and Trumbo (O's down 5-3)

ATLANTA - The Orioles will decide Monday whether to activate third baseman Tim Beckham from the 60-day disabled list. They seem to be leaning in that direction.

Beckham remains with Triple-A Norfolk on his injury rehab assignment. He's 2-for-15 with the Tides after going 1-for-8 with Double-A Bowie since recovering from core muscle surgery.

The Orioles haven't been able to put Beckham in their lineup since April 23. He's appeared in 23 games with a .179/.247/.262 slash line.

"I'm not sure. That's one of the possibilities," said manager Buck Showalter. "I think they're going to talk with him and people who are watching everything. I think that was the hope and the plan, but we'll see."

Danny Valencia gets another start today at third base. He's been one of the club's most productive hitters and his defense lately has been much sharper. But Beckham figures to reclaim the position.

Showalter said the club has a plan, "which will be revealed to us in time."

"We're looking forward to getting Tim back. It's been a long time. Looking forward to getting him back like the player he was when he originally came over. I'm hoping the surgery and some of the things can help him achieve that.

"Never a problem to have good players playing well. We'll find a way."

Trey Mancini is in left field after being out of the lineup for three games with neck stiffness. But Mark Trumbo, who hit a grand slam yesterday and has homered in four of the last six games, is out of the lineup due to some swelling in his knee.

With no designated hitter in the National League, the Orioles were forced to put Trumbo on the bench.

"Trumb's got a little fusion - I think that's the medical term," Showalter said. "His knee puffs up a little bit every once in a while. That's why I kind of move him back and forth between DH and right field.

"He's been feeling good. He's got a lot of running out there. Give him a day off that off of that and he'll be fine tomorrow. And Trey should be good to go."

Mancini pinch-hit Friday night but remained out of the lineup yesterday as a precaution.

"He was OK yesterday, I thought, but I tried to give him one more day," Showalter said. "Anybody who's ever had a stiff neck knows that it doesn't go away overnight."

Pedro Álvarez has been activated on Norfolk's roster after accepting his outright assignment.

Update: Freddie Freeman's two-run single in the first inning gave the Braves a 2-0 lead against David Hess, who let the first three batters reach base.

Update II: Mancini homered in the top of the third inning, but Hess surrendered three runs in the bottom half while throwing 37 pitches, and the Orioles are behind 5-1.

Update III: Trumbo's pinch-hit, two-run homer in the fifth reduced the lead to 5-3.