News » Missouri, has just three UFC bouts under his belt, includi

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles activated first baseman Chris Davis from the 15-day disabled list Sunday, a move that would have generated more enthusiasm in the Baltimore clubhouse if catcher Matt Wieters didnt take his place on the DL with a right elbow strain. After spending the minimum time on the disabled list with a strained muscle near his left ribcage, Davis was in the starting lineup for Sundays game against the Houston Astros. Wieters had an MRI on his elbow Monday and visited Dr. James Andrews, who prescribed he rest his arm. Wieters served as designated hitter this week, but the Orioles decided it would be a good idea to shut him down for a while. "I think to get the best opportunity for this to heal properly we need to let it quiet down completely," manager Buck Showalter said. "Youre getting treatment all day then its, Hold on a second to take some swings in the cage. I got to get ready for the game." Showalter added: "Originally, they felt the best case scenario was a two- or three-week period where he wasnt throwing. I think this gives us the best opportunity for this thing to manage itself." Wieters is batting .308 with five homers and 18 RBIs, but he has thrown out only one of 12 would-be base stealers. "Its not like some acute pain. Its just that he knows its not like it should be to catch at the major league level," Showalter said. "A lot of catchers would die to be able to make the throws Matt has made so far this year." Davis led the majors last year with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs. This season he has two homers and 13 RBIs in 22 games. He went on the DL on April 27, retroactive to April 26, after being pulled from a game against Kansas City. His rehabilitation assignment lasted only one game -- a 1 for 4 outing Saturday night for Class A Bowie. "Hes doing some things now he wasnt able to do that three or four day period he was trying to play through it," Showalter said. "That was good to hear from him." Steve Pearce performed well at first base and at the plate, but Davis lobbied to return Sunday and got his wish. "Steve Pearce is no stranger to success," Davis said. "Hes been big for us the last couple of years and hes done a great job. But Im tired of seeing him hit home runs." Astros manager Bo Porter was hoping Davis might remain on the DL at least another day, through the end the three-game series that concluded Sunday. "I thought he was going to stay down in Bowie," Porter joked. "We might just walk him four times. No, hes a good player. But you make quality pitches you have a good chance of getting him out. Im sure theyre excited to have him back." Kyle Korver Jersey .Y. -- In a span of three days, Shabazz Napier and Connecticut knocked out both Philadelphia schools in the NCAA tournament. Jonas Jerebko Jersey . The club was unable to retain hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, who is bound for Atlanta. Seitzer replaces Greg Walker, who was assisted by Scott Fletcher this season as the Braves finished 79-83. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-tony-bradley-jazz-jersey/ . - Because they didnt go into Beast Mode, the Seattle Seahawks found themselves in Spin Mode. Dante Exum Jersey . Russia has spent about $51 billion to deliver the Sochi Olympics, which run Feb. 7-23, making them the most expensive games ever, even though as a winter event it hosts many fewer athletes than summer games do. Derrick Favors Jersey .Shipulin pulled away from Martin Fourcade of France, Simon Eder of Austria and Fredrik Lindstrom of Sweden to finish in 35 minutes 16.8 seconds. Fourcade was 1.2 seconds back in second place to reclaim the overall World Cup lead, with Eder another 0.VANCOUVER - Rory MacDonald says he doesnt feel any added pressure to carry Canadas mixed martial arts torch in Georges St-Pierres absence. In fact, his mentors hiatus from the UFC makes McDonalds quest to reach the top of the welterweight division a little easier. "It opens things up for me to get to where I want to be," MacDonald said this week. "Ive learned a lot from Georges. No extra pressure, Ive just got to be myself." It remains to be seen if St-Pierre will return to the sport he dominated, but the 24-year-old MacDonald — who goes by the nickname "Ares" — is intent on continuing his climb this Saturday at UFC 174 when he takes on Tyron (The Chosen One) Woodley in the co-main event at Rogers Arena. Both men have their sights set on Johny Hendricks welterweight title, with MacDonald ranked as the No. 2 challenger and Woodley at No. 3. Shy in front of the media glare, MacDonald said he just has to continue working on what has brought him to this point. "I think people like me for who I am," said MacDonald, who was born in Quesnel, B.C., but now trains in Montreal. "Ive gotten to the position Im in because of being who I am — a couple stumbles along the way but I feel like Im hitting my stride right now." One of those stumbles actually came in Vancouver when MacDonald (16-2) lost at UFC 115 in June 2010 to Carlos Condit. His only other defeat came to Robbie Lawler in a split decision at UFC 167 in November, but MacDonald rebounded to beat Demian Maia in a spplit decision at UFC 170 in February.dddddddddddd "You pick and choose your spots. You play between defence and offence against other good fighters," said MacDonald. "I just had a great training camp. No injuries and things went great. I felt great in my sparrings and my techniques are sharp." Woodley (13-2), a two-time All-American wrestler at the University of Missouri, has just three UFC bouts under his belt, including a technical knockout victory over Condit at UFC 171 in March. MacDonald said if he fights to his strengths against Woodley, he should come out on top. "I know the techniques. They come out as instinct right now," said MacDonald. "Ive trained them so much. So Ive just got to go in there and do my thing. "Im ready for everything. Last time here was unbelievable, the response I got. If its the same, more, or less Ill be ready." In a era where athletes in all sports are constantly looking for an edge, MacDonald said he doesnt study video of his opponents before a fight, preferring to use his instincts. "Ive fought a lot of people in the past — never seen them, never heard of them and had to deal with their problems," he said. "I find it easier to do it like that, to react in the cage." MacDonald is hoping for the same against Woodley on Saturday night. "Hes a great fighter. To beat him you have to be tricky and use good techniques," he said. "I feel very confident in my abilities and the solutions I have." ' ' '