Palmeiro Sits Out in Return

Rafael Palmeiro returned from a 10-day suspension Thursday eager to play for the Baltimore Orioles, yet unwilling to discuss the positive test for steroids that tarnished his name.

“I want to say that I’m happy to be back. I’m anxious to get back on the field and playing the game that I love very much,” he said. “It’s been a tough time for me and my family over the last couple of weeks, and at this time I’ve been instructed by my attorneys not to comment on the situation. The time will come soon, hopefully, that I can explain my situation.”

Palmeiro did not play Thursday night in the Orioles’ 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Baltimore.

“I haven’t done anything in 10 days,” he said, “so I’ll need a couple days to get back into it.”

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Mike Hampton is ready to rejoin the Atlanta Braves’ rotation, which means a temporary exile to the bullpen for Horacio Ramirez.

Hampton, who has been on the disabled list because of a back injury since July 18, will be activated for Sunday’s game against Arizona.

Hampton’s start will come the day after John Thomson makes his first appearance in nearly three months. Thomson has been on the disabled list because of an injured finger.

Although Ramirez is second on the Braves with 10 wins, he’s the fifth starter when everyone is healthy.

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A woman was hospitalized in Miami with a ruptured spleen, two days after she was hit in the stands by Shawn Green’s flying bat during a Marlins-Diamondbacks game.

Karen Wellmeyer, 37, was injured Tuesday night and was in serious but stable condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital, husband John Wellmeyer told Associated Press on Thursday.

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Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder Jody Gerut was put on the 15-day disabled list because of an irritated tendon in his right knee. Nate McLouth was recalled from triple-A Indianapolis.