Active Roster

When Dani Lazo first learned she would have the opportunity to play for the U.S. Under-19 women's lacrosse team in Germany this August, instead of just watching from the sidelines as a traveling alternate, her initial reaction wasn't one of excitement. Instead, the first thing Lazo felt was a bit of grief for her teammate, Shannon Gilroy, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a New York high school game in mid June. With Gilroy sidelined, Lazo, a recent St. Mary's graduate set to play at Louisville next year, was promoted to the U.S.'s 18-member playing roster.

Among the decisions the Ravens must make in setting their 53-man roster on Saturday is what to do with Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed. He will either go on the physically-unable-to-perform list (Reserve PUP) or be placed on the active roster. Coach John Harbaugh said Tuesday that Reed wants to play sooner and avoid the six-week inactive period the PUP list requires. Reed apparently made this point Monday during a meeting with Harbaugh, general manager Ozzie Newsome, defensive coordinator Greg Mattison and secondary coach Chuck Pagano.

In what was both an unpopular move in the clubhouse and a necessary decision to protect a spent bullpen and a versatile reserve infielder, the Orioles demoted catcher Craig Tatum to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday. With starting catcher Matt Wieters (right hamstring strain) coming off the disabled list, Tatum became the odd man out because he still had a minor-league option, meaning he could be demoted without being passed through waivers. The other alternatives to be dropped from the roster were versatile infielder/catcher Jake Fox , who is out of minor-league options, and one of the team's relievers in a bullpen that has pitched nearly as many innings as the starters this homestand.

Six players, including the heart of the Minnesota Vikings' defensive line, were suspended for the rest of the regular season by the NFL yesterday for violating its anti-doping policy. All six were punished for using a diuretic, which can serve as a masking agent for steroids. The suspended players were running back Deuce McAllister and defensive linemen Charles Grant and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints; defensive linemen Kevin and Pat Williams of the Vikings; and long snapper Bryan Pittman of the Houston Texans.

MOVES Baseball BREWERS -- Agreed to one-year contract with P Randy Choate. RAYS -- Exercised 2008 option on former Orioles P Al Reyes. Declined option on OF Greg Norton. Activated OF Rocco Baldelli, C Shawn Riggans and SS Ben Zobrist from 60-day DL. College MARYLAND -- Announced that men's basketball assistant coach Michael Adams left program. Named Robert Ehsan acting assistant coach for rest of season. Football NFL -- Reinstated RB Ricky Williams from suspension for violating league's drug policy for fourth time.

Ending one of the few position battles this preseason, the Ravens selected rookie Troy Smith as the No. 3 quarterback and released Drew Olson yesterday. The move was somewhat surprising as Olson had outplayed Smith. But Smith was the team's fifth-round pick in April's NFL draft and is expected to be groomed as a possible successor to starting quarterback Steve McNair. "Decisions have to be made," coach Brian Billick said after practice at the team's training facility in Owings Mills. "Drew was with us for his first year.

Players on a fourth-place team are careful not to puff out their chests after sweeping the club below them. They don't check the wild-card standings until reaching the .500 mark. But the Orioles will bask in every achievement, no matter how modest, and they'll imagine the possibilities that exist down the road. It beats counting the days until their vacation begins. With starting pitcher Steve Trachsel unable to continue the recent run of quality starts from the rotation, the Orioles relied on an invigorated offense and a bullpen that's no longer underachieving to run their winning streak to four games with a 10-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before an announced 22,393 at Camden Yards.

Thursday marked the first time that any part of the Major League Baseball amateur draft was televised nationally. Curious timing, as free agency and the influx of international talent has decreased the draft's impact on the big league product. Still, selecting the right draft-eligible amateurs certainly boosts an organization, especially one that's cash-strapped. Here's a look at the best June picks by each franchise in the past 15 drafts (this week's selections not included). To make the list, the player must be on the current active roster (or disabled list)

No school has contributed more to the Blast's playing personnel lately than UMBC. Five former Retrievers -- or 25 percent of the team's 20-man active roster -- are included, and if Machel Millwood (who starred at Towson) were made an honorary member of the group, the team could field a strong starting six composed entirely of former Baltimore-area collegiate players. With Millwood and Giuliano Celenza at the forwards, young Matt Watson in the midfield, P.J. Wakefield and Billy Nelson on defense and Brian Rowland in goal, the Blast would have a unit that would be a local soccer fan's delight and certainly could hold its own and even thrive in the MISL.

Matchup -- Bayhawks (1-1) at Denver Outlaws (2-0) Site -- Invesco Field, Denver Time -- 9:30 p.m. Outlook -- Tonight marks the second straight game against an expansion franchise for the Bayhawks, who defeated the Chicago Machine, 19-16, last Saturday. Mark Millon scored six goals for Baltimore, earning MLL's Offensive Player of the Week honors. The team also got two goals and three assists from midfielder Justin Redd. With six former Bayhawks on their active roster - including 2005 starters Josh Sims, Lee Zink and Trevor Tierney - Denver has outscored its opponents 39-25 in its first two games, beating San Francisco, 15-11, last weekend.