BALTIMORE -- David Ortiz was informed Monday that he'll begin serving a three-game suspension for last weekend's incident Rangers Nelson Cruz Jersey in Boston with the Orioles and closer Kevin Gregg. Ortiz and Gregg were both initially fined and given four-game suspensions, but each appealed and had one game knocked off their sentence, as well as their fines reduced. Each will miss the entire Red Sox-Orioles series at Camden Yards. "He had his ... communication with the league, and he'll start serving it tonight," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "He'll miss the Baltimore series." Ortiz said, before the team went out for batting practice Monday, that he got the news from Giants Cody Ross Jersey his agent in the morning and would accept it. "[Things] happen, got to take it like a man," Ortiz said. Ortiz clearly just wanted to put the issue in the past. He said he talked with some people in baseball, but there wasn't any hearing involved in the process. "You just don't want to go over the same things again," Authentic Chase Utley Jersey Ortiz said. "Doing what I did wasn't the right thing to do, so you're going to be punished. Just want to get it over with and continue the season." He also said he hopes there's no Nelson Cruz Jersey carryover or residual bad blood Cubs Carlos Pena Jersey between the two teams in this three-game series. Gregg clearly wasn't thrilled with the final decisions, but Authentic Cody Ross Jersey he Phillies Cliff Lee Jersey also wanted to just put everything in the past and move on. "The bottom line is trying to do what's in the best interest of the team," Gregg said. "Just to Authentic Carlos Pena Jersey get things done, to take my time now. Ortiz is taking his time now, so I still don't think it's fair that we have the same fine, same suspension, but we're going to move past that point and get on with the season."                                              Crawford returns for series opener vs. O's                BALTIMORE -- Carl Crawford came off the disabled Authentic Jose Reyes Jersey list Monday and was promptly inserted into the starting lineup for the series opener against Carlos Pena Jersey the Orioles. Crawford had been on the 15-day disasbled list since June 18 with a left hamstring strain. He played two rehab games with Triple-A Pawtucket, gong 1-for-5 with one RBI. "I'm real excited to be back on the field," Crawford said. "It's been awhile. I'm definitely excited about it. I'd definitely like to give the guys a boost." Crawford got Authentic Derek Jeter Jersey off to a very slow start at the plate this season, but he was starting to come Chase Utley Jersey around when the injury happened. The left fielder had hit .316 with four homers and 17 RBIs in the 21 games before getting hurt. "I think we're happy," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "The hope is that he'll come back and kind of fall into line [with] what he can do, and do the stuff on the bases and get some hits and kind of be that spark plug. That will Authentic Ryne Sandberg Jersey be welcome."Crawford said he'll look Cody Ross Jersey at this as kind of a new start for him. He wants to help the team in its battle for the American League East title. "I'm going to just put the first half behind me and go forward," Phillies Chase Utley Jersey Crawford said. "The team's still doing well, so I'm just going to Authentic Alex Rodriguez Jersey try to blend right in." Crawford certainly wasn't as tired as his teammates. He came into Baltimore on Sunday while the Red Sox played their marathon game in St. Petersburg at night and didn't get into town until around 6 a.m. ET Monday.Infielder Drew Sutton was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for Crawford on the 25-man roster.                                              Facing O's is now normal for Albers                BALTIMORE -- Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Albers said he's getting used to playing his old team. Albers, who pitched with the Orioles from 2008-2010, is Jose Reyes Jersey having a strong season with Boston. He entered Monday's series opener Mets Jose Reyes Jersey with a 3-3 record with a 2.31 ERA in 31 games. But some of the shine of playing his former teammates is starting to wear off a little since the Authentic Nelson Cruz Jersey two teams have already met eight times in 2011. "I think after coming a few times, playing them here, there, and it just kind of feels like another series," Albers said. Albers said he's contacted a few of the Orioles after last weekend's incidents, and said he'd love for all the problems to be finished. Some of the Orioles had expressed frustration with Albers' fist-pumping and apparently Alex Rodriguez Jersey screaming profanities toward the dugout. "Hopefully, it's done with and we can just kind of move on and just play baseball," Albers said.                                              Worth noting                • The Red Sox traveled through the night after their game in St. Petersburg ended at 1:54 a.m. ET Monday morning. They didn't get to their Baltimore hotel until around 6 a.m. But Yankees Derek Jeter Jersey manager Terry Francona said everyone was fine, and Ryne Sandberg Jersey he wasn't worried.• Six Boston pitchers combined in Sunday's 1-0 shutout over the Rays that went 16 innings. The only other time Boston used at least six pitchers in a 1-0 win -- since 1920 -- was on Oct. 3, 1999, when they beat the Orioles by employing eight hurlers.• The Sox entered Monday's game 11-2 in the month of July, the second-best record in baseball behind only Texas (12-2). • Daniel Bard entered play Monday having kept opponents scoreless in this last 21 2/3 innings Authentic Brian Wilson Jersey pitched, the longest active streak in the Major Derek Jeter Jersey Leagues.• Francona said that Jon Lester will be pitching next Tuesday, not Monday as Cubs Ryne Sandberg Jersey originally announced.

After tying for the league lead in home Authentic Alfonso Soriano Jersey runs, runs scored and slugging percentage, Orioles Jorge Posada Jersey outfielder Nick Markakis was named the Cliff Lee Jersey American League Player of the Week, Authentic Michael Cuddyer Jersey Major Alfonso Soriano Jersey League Baseball announced on Monday. Authentic Cliff Lee Jersey Markakis hit .429 Johan Santana Jersey (6-for-14) with two doubles, two home runs, four RBIs and five runs scored in the shortened week ending on July 17. It Authentic Starlin Castro Jersey is Markakis' first career Twins Michael Cuddyer Jersey AL Player of the Week Giants Freddy Sanchez Jersey honor and the first Yankees Mariano Rivera Jersey time a Baltimore player has won the award since Michael Cuddyer Jersey Luke Scott on July 25, 2010. Authentic Freddy Sanchez Jersey During Friday's 6-5 loss to the Indians, Markakis knocked his 1,000th Starlin Castro Jersey career Brian Wilson Jersey hit with a third-inning single to Phillies Cole Hamels Jersey become the 14th player to reach the plateau while with the Orioles. Markakis then went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a Cubs Starlin Castro Jersey homer and three runs scored on Saturday to Freddy Sanchez Jersey help the Orioles beat the Indians, 6-5. It was Authentic Jorge Posada Jersey the third time in Markakis' career Authentic Mariano Rivera Jersey that he went for three extra-base hits in a game and the first occasion since 2008. Entering Monday, Mariano Rivera Jersey Markakis Cubs Alfonso Soriano Jersey has hit Authentic Johan Santana Jersey .333 (13-for-39) with two doubles, two Mets Johan Santana Jersey home runs and seven RBIs over Yankees Jorge Posada Jersey a 10-game hitting streak.

 PHOENIX -- It appears that Aaron Heilman's time with the D-backs could be nearing its end.After Authentic Ike Davis Jersey Monday night's 3-0 victory over Authentic Nick Swisher Jersey the Brewers, the Twins Justin Morneau Jersey reliever shook hands with teammates, Phillies Roy Halladay Jersey cleaned out his Mickey Mantle Jersey locker and exited the clubhouse with a D-backs duffel bag and a large Authentic Josh Hamilton Jersey cardboard box of belongings.Although no Giants Buster Posey Jersey roster Authentic Cole Hamels Jersey move Yankees Nick Swisher Jersey has Matt Cain Jersey been announced Authentic Matt Garza Jersey by the organization, Heilman's release could be Ike Davis Jersey the move associated with starting Josh Hamilton Jersey pitcher Barry Enright's expected callup. Gibson said on Friday that Enright would be summoned from Triple-A Reno for Tuesday's Giants Matt Cain Jersey start against the Brewers.Heilman re-signed with the D-backs on a one-year, $2 million deal Authentic Mickey Mantle Jersey in the Cubs Matt Garza Jersey offseason. After he was unable Mets Ike Davis Jersey to win a rotation Rangers Josh Hamilton Jersey spot out of Spring Training, the Authentic Justin Morneau Jersey right-hander struggled out of the bullpen, posting a 6.88 ERA in 32 games. He struck out 33 batters in 35 1/3 innings and allowed opponents a .318 Cole Hamels Jersey batting average.The 32-year-old Justin Morneau Jersey had a Matt Garza Jersey 4.50 ERA with six saves in 70 games for Yankees Mickey Mantle Jersey the D-backs in Authentic Matt Cain Jersey 2010.

ANAHEIM -- An All-Star for the first time, Angels second baseman Howard Kendrick was looking forward to congratulating the Yankees' Derek Jeter on reaching the 3,000-hit plateau in the American League clubhouse during the festivities at Chase Kosuke Fukudome Jersey Field in Phoenix."I was kind of bummed when Jeter said he wasn't coming because of the calf injury," Kendrick said. "When I was younger -- not Authentic Joe Mauer Jersey even in pro Cubs Kosuke Fukudome Jersey ball -- he was the one guy I watched most, kind of the face of baseball to me."He spoke to me from Day 1 on the field and never changed. If a superstar like Deter Jeter talks to a nobody like me, it shows what kind of guy he is. To see him get to 3,000 hits, that Authentic David Wright Jersey was special to me. I've always admired him. Great player, great guy."While Jeter was notable in his absence, Kendrick had another favorite player to spend quality time with before and during a Midsummer Classic that was captured by the National League for the second year David Wright Jersey in a row.Michael Young, the Rangers' esteemed leader, has been a positive influence on Kendrick from the time Kendrick broke into the Yankees Robinson Cano Jersey Major Leagues in 2006. The Angels see a lot of Young's Rangers as part of an American League West rivalry that is renewed on Tuesday night with the start of a three-game series at Angel Stadium.Over the years, a mutual bond has formed between two athletes with similar swings and approaches to the game."Michael Young, that guy is one of the flat-out best hitters in baseball," Kendrick said. Authentic Buster Posey Jersey "Being in the Mets David Wright Jersey same division and seeing him so much has been fun Authentic Roy Halladay Jersey for me. He's had quite a Authentic Phil Rizzuto Jersey few 200-hit seasons, and he has moved from second base to shortstop to third, and now he's playing some first base. Authentic Pablo Sandoval Jersey To see him do that and take it in stride tells you Giants Pablo Sandoval Jersey a lot about the kind of person he is."A lot Nick Swisher Jersey of guys wouldn't have handled it as well as he has, Lan Kinsler Jersey getting moved around so much. I'm getting an idea how difficult that is since I'm playing some first base and left field now. It's not easy, but he's still playing great defense wherever they put him."You see guys like Michael Young, how professional they are, and it makes an impact on you. Leading by example is the best way, to me, and he's a great example of that. He's the kind of player you like to have as a role model."Young, a seven-time Yankees Phil Rizzuto Jersey All-Star, holds the Phillies Ryan Howard Jersey distinction of driving in the decisive run in two All-Star Games. His two-run triple against Trevor Hoffman in Pittsburgh in 2006 brought the AL from behind to a stunning win, and his 15th-inning sacrifice fly ended the show at old Yankee Stadium two years later.Young has paid close attention to Kendrick, following his emergence after hitting a few bumps in the road."I've known Howie for a long time," Young said. "I've always felt highly of him as a young player and person. The ultimate compliment is Rangers Lan Kinsler Jersey when people in the game tell you they respect the way you play. I really appreciate that, coming from Howie."Young, Kendrick and Jeter share something in common as hitters. They have the ability to Roy Halladay Jersey use the whole Twins Joe Mauer Jersey field, driving the ball as effectively to the opposite field as to the pull side and through the middle."I love his approach," Young said. "He goes from Authentic Lan Kinsler Jersey left-center to the right-field line. I've seen him get better with his strike zone judgment and staying off certain pitches. Now that he's doing that, you're going to see Pablo Sandoval Jersey Howie take off."I'd rather have a guy be ultra-aggressive and Phil Rizzuto Jersey have to tone it down than being too passive and have to learn to be aggressive."Young clearly sees a younger version of himself Joe Mauer Jersey in Kendrick, who in turn visualizes becoming the kind of respected, pure ballplayer that Young has been throughout his career.Vernon Wells, one of Young's Authentic Kosuke Fukudome Jersey best friends in the game, commends Kendrick for his choice of role models."Michael is a pretty good person to emulate," said Wells, the Angels outfielder who calls Arlington, Texas, his home. "He gets 200 hits a year and plays the game the right way."

MINNEAPOLIS -- After Scott Baker felt stiffer than expected on Sunday, he Authentic Roger Maris Jersey and the Twins' coaching and training staff decided it would be best not to push things by pitching on Monday.If Baker had pitched the first game of the doubleheader against the Indians as scheduled, the situation could have gotten worse than it is already. Any issues with his elbow after that outing would Buster Posey Jersey have eliminated the Twins' Carlos Zambrano Jersey ability to backdate his trip to the Denard Span Jersey disabled list."We all sat down and had a long conversation," said Twins head trainer Rick McWane. "We all decided it was in his best interest not to push it and give it a couple extra days. We'd already invested 12 days or whatever it was in this, and we didn't want to Roger Maris Jersey have him go out there and throw, because then you're talking another 15 days."Baker's current plan is to rest for a couple days before throwing another bullpen session. The Twins will reevaluate the right-hander at that point and decide on the next step.McWane also gave updates on outfielders Denard Span and Jason Kubel, both of whom are rehabbing injuries with Triple-A Rochester.Span and Kubel started Sunday's game for the Red Wings, with Span going 0-for-3 batting leadoff and playing center field. Kubel was 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored while batting in the No. 3 spot as the designated hitter.They're both scheduled to play again Monday in Rochester."Span did fine last night. He's going to play another five innings in the outfield today," McWane said. "Kubel is going to play outfield today for nine innings. He Tim Lincecum Jersey had no problems yesterday."                                              Morneau set to begin baseball activities                MINNEAPOLIS Authentic Denard Span Jersey -- Less than three weeks since having surgery to relieve a pinched nerve in his neck, Justin Morneau will begin baseball activities this week. Twins head trainer Rick McWane gave an update on Morneau's progress Monday morning, and he said Morneau played catch Sunday without any issues."He'll take some grounders," McWane said. "Swinging a bat will be the last thing, but he's ready to take ground balls, play catch and run around."Morneau had the surgery on June Authentic Tim Lincecum Jersey 29 and was expected to be out at least six weeks, a timeframe that would have Morneau back in action for the Twins no earlier than mid-August. His current progress seems like it may be ahead of schedule, but it remains unclear whether it actually is."Maybe a little," McWane said, "but Cubs Carlos Zambrano Jersey it's kind of early to say until he starts swinging."                                              Mauer gets second career start at Authentic Michael Young Jersey first Authentic Robinson Cano Jersey base                MINNEAPOLIS -- Joe Mauer started at first base for the second time in his career in the first game of a split doubleheader against the Indians on Monday and caught the second game.Mauer, who last started at first base on July 7 against the White Sox, was originally expected to serve as designated hitter in Game 1, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire opted to go with Jim Thome because of his success against Indians left-hander David Huff."The numbers kind of lead Yankees Alex Rodriguez Jersey you that way," Gardenhire said. "Mauer is like 7-for-16, and Thome is 4-for-6 with a couple of homers [against Huff]. So it's hard to kind of go away from those things."Drew Butera started at catcher in the first Authentic Ryan Howard Jersey game with right-hander Anthony Swarzak on the mound, while Rangers Michael Young Jersey Mauer worked behind the plate Authentic Carlos Beltran Jersey with left-hander Scott Diamond, who made his big league debut in the nightcap."He'll catch [the second game]," Gardenhire said of Mauer before Game 1. "He's one of the selected few. He wins the lottery. That's why I was going to DH him in the first game, but after we saw Thome's numbers, we just wanted to see what Thome thought, and he wanted to hit."                                              Diamond excited to make big league debut                MINNEAPOLIS -- Left-hander Scott Diamond will make his Major League debut in the second game of a split doubleheader Mets Carlos Beltran Jersey against the Indians on Monday after right-hander Scott Baker was placed on the Authentic Carlos Zambrano Jersey disabled list with a right flexor strain on Sunday.Diamond, who was a Rule 5 Draft pick from the Braves and was officially acquired in a trade for right-hander Billy Bullock in late March, posted a 4.70 ERA in 17 starts with Michael Young Jersey Triple-A Rochester."It's exciting," Diamond said. "It was really good seeing the locker room and all the guys again from Spring Training. So I'm really excited to be back here and I'm going Ryan Howard Jersey to try to do my best."Diamond was acquired via trade after the club decided not to keep him on the 40-man roster after Spring Training. He was told to work on his mechanics and his pickoff move Twins Denard Span Jersey down in the Minors and said he feels like he made progress with Rochester."They said they liked what I Giants Tim Lincecum Jersey bring to the table -- that Yankees Roger Maris Jersey my velocity was OK and my stuff is good and I have an out pitch," Diamond said. "And that they just wanted to see me continue to develop to be ready Carlos Beltran Jersey to pitch at this level. The Twins having confidence in me helped me make a turnaround about a month ago, and I've been pitching better."Diamond had also pitched well over his last two starts with the Red Wings, posting a 2.40 ERA with 10 strikeouts and just one walk over 14 innings."He's Robinson Cano Jersey been throwing a lot better," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He had some scuffles early. The big thing is repeating his delivery and staying with it mechanically. The report I got on the computer from our staff was that lately he's been very good and consistent with his delivery."                                              Twins reschedule game with White Sox                MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins announced their postponed game against the White Sox on June 14 has been rescheduled for Monday, Sept. 5 at 7:10 p.m. CT as part of a split day-night doubleheader.The 1:10 p.m. CT game on that day will be played as originally scheduled, with gates opening at 11 a.m. CT. The gates Giants Brian Wilson Jersey for the second game will be open at 6 p.m. CT.Tickets to the postponed game will be good for admission into the rescheduled game, as tickets for the game are not subject to refunds or exchanges.Fans are encouraged to visit , call 612-33-TWINS or 800-33-TWINS, or visit the Target Field box office during normal business hours for detailed information on the Twins' rainout policy.