ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — After serving the final game of his 25-game suspension on Monday, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis has been reinstated from the restricted list and added to the 25-man roster.
To make space, the Orioles optioned catcher Steve Clevenger to Triple-A Norfolk, as was expected.
"He had a good spring, as did Lavarnway. Just keeps all our options available," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "There are a lot of variables there. I talked to Steve about the depth it provides us and told him this time next year he won't be having that. He'll be out of options."
Davis will be in the lineup for tonight's game as the starting designated hitter batting fifth against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
Davis hasn't played since last Sept. 10 at Boston. He then began serving a 25-game game suspension for unapproved Adderall use. He sat out the final 17 games of the season and the Orioles' seven postseason games.
Clevenger was the odd man out after the Orioles carried three catchers on Opening Day. He outhit reserve Ryan Lavarnway in the spring, but Clevenger has a minor league option this year and Lavarnway doesn't. So, sending out Clevenger allows the Orioles to keep both him and Lavarnway in the organization.
Here is tonight's starting lineup:
Alejandro De Aza LF
Steve Pearce 1B
Travis Snider RF
Adam Jones CF
Chris Davis DH
Manny Machado 3B
Caleb Joseph C
Everth Cabrera SS
Wei-Yin Chen LHP