WASHINGTON -- Denard Span has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list by the Washington Nationals.
The center fielder missed 40 games with a back injury. He returned Tuesday as the Nationals' leadoff hitter against San Diego.
Span, 31, intends to ease his way back into being an everyday player. "I haven't played in a long time. My body still needs to get into shape," he said.
Span is batting .304 with 5 home runs and 11 steals in 59 games this season.
He joins a team that is chasing the first-place New York Mets in the NL East.
To make room for Span on the roster, Washington optioned right-hander Tanner Roark to Class A Potomac. Nationals Manager Matt Williams says Roark will probably get two starts before returning to Washington.
MARLINS
Stanton return near
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins All-Star right fielder Giancarlo Stanton says he's about a week and a half away from rejoining the lineup after being sidelined since June 26 with a broken left hand.
Stanton doesn't expect to go on a minor-league rehabilitation stint and will instead work on his timing in the batting cage, he said Tuesday.
His injury required surgery, and the recovery has taken longer than expected. If the latest timetable holds, he could return around Sept. 4, when the Marlins open a homestand against the NL East-leading New York Mets.
Stanton led the majors with 27 home runs and 67 RBI when he was hurt.
Yelich activated from DL
Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich has been activated from the 15-day disabled left after recovering from a bruised right knee.
Right-hander Kendry Flores was placed on the disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to Saturday, with right shoulder tendinitis.
Yelich was batting .275 with six home runs and 29 RBI when he went on the DL for the second time this year. Flores is 1-2 with a 4.97 ERA in seven games.
YANKEES
Teixeira back in lineup
NEW YORK -- Mark Teixeira was back in the New York Yankees' lineup Tuesday night after missing seven games with a bruised right shin.
The All-Star first baseman was set to bat cleanup against Houston Astros ace and former Arkansas Razorback Dallas Keuchel. Teixeira, injured last week when he fouled a ball off his shin, had a .359 on-base percentage and was leading the team with 31 home runs and 79 RBI.
In other news, injured pitcher CC Sabathia said he thinks he can return to the mound in September. The big left-hander received a second opinion on his arthritic right knee and said he was glad the exam revealed no new damage.
The struggling Sabathia was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday with inflammation. There is no timetable for his return, and Manager Joe Girardi declined to speculate about what Sabathia's role might be if the 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner is able to pitch before the season ends.
"Helping this team any way I can is what I'm here to do. If that means pitching out of the bullpen, it is what it is. I'm not here to make that decision. It's not for me to make," Sabathia said. "If I'm healthy enough, I know I can start on any team. So let them make that decision."
Michael Pineda is set to come off the DL and start Wednesday against Houston. He has been sidelined since July 30 with a strained right forearm.
New York began Tuesday tied with Toronto atop the AL East.
Sabathia, 35, has been slowed by his troublesome knee the past few seasons. He had surgery last year and was limited to eight starts.
This season, he is 4-9 with a 5.27 ERA in 24 starts. He had the knee drained twice and recently received a pain-killing shot, all part of the plan to help him get through the season. Girardi, in fact, was surprised Sabathia wasn't prevented from pitching until he came out of his last start Sunday after 2 2/3 innings.
"It's just learning how to deal with it," the manager said.
BLUE JAYS
2B Travis looks to return
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Blue Jays rookie second baseman Devon Travis is hopeful of returning to Toronto's lineup this season after having another cortisone shot in his injured left shoulder.
Travis was examined Tuesday by Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister before Toronto opened a three-game series in Texas.
Travis re-injured his left shoulder July 28 and received a cortisone shot a few days later. He missed 36 games earlier this season after getting hit by a bad-hop grounder April 30 at Cleveland, though he didn't go on the disabled list for another two weeks after that, and then returned June 26.
In 62 games this season, Travis has hit .304 with 8 home runs and 35 RBI.
The infielder says there is no nerve damage and that Meister told him that there are just some muscles that need more rest.
RAYS
1B Loney suspended, fined
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Rays first baseman James Loney has been suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for making contact with umpire Paul Nauert in Saturday's game at Oakland.
Loney appealed the sanctions announced Tuesday and will be able to continue playing until the appeal process is completed.
Loney was ejected after striking out in the sixth inning Saturday and later bumped Nauert during an argument.
Sports on 08/26/2015