A look at what’s happening around the majors Wednesday:

NATIONAL DECLINE

The Nationals could use a spark before the July 4 fireworks go off in D.C. Washington is at risk of falling below .500 for the first time since May 2 as it continues a series against Boston at 11 a.m. EDT. The Red Sox thumped the Nationals 11-4 on Tuesday http://www.dolphinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-daniel-kilgore-jersey , giving Washington its fourth straight loss and 16th in 21 games to fall to 42-42. That slide has the preseason NL East favorites chasing the Braves and Phillies in the division. Erick Fedde (1-3, 6.00) tries to stop Washington’s skid against Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (9-3, 4.11).

THE SHO GOES ON

Shohei Ohtani is back from the disabled list, albeit without full use of his electric right arm. The Japanese two-way sensation has been cleared to hit and was in the Angels’ lineup as a designated hitter Tuesday night, but he won’t be pitching anytime soon due to a Grade 2 sprain of his ulnar collateral ligament suffered more than three weeks ago. Ohtani has received stem cell therapy and a platelet-rich plasma injection on his right elbow, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to return to the mound this year. For now http://www.dolphinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-josh-sitton-jersey , Los Angeles welcomes him as a hitter. He entered Tuesday batting .289 with a .907 OPS and six homers in 114 at-bats.

ROTATION RESET

Gerrit Cole (9-2) will pitch on regular rest for the Astros after a slight tweak to their rotation. Lance McCullers Jr. was initially scheduled to start at Texas, but Cole will pitch instead. Justin Verlander (9-4) will follow Thursday at home against the White Sox and McCullers goes Friday. Manager A.J. Hinch said the switch keeps Cole and Verlander pitching every fifth day, and provides extra rest for McCullers (9-3) and Charlie Morton (10-2). The reset rotation means likely All-Star selection Verlander is scheduled for the final game before the break. ”This is always going to be the priority,” said Hinch, the All-Star manager who then won’t have Verlander available to pitch for the AL team on July 17 in Washington D.C.

BAUER POWER

Trevor Bauer tries to carry over an outstanding June when the Indians play at Kansas City. Bauer (7-6, 2.45) was 3-3 with a 2.18 ERA last month http://www.49ersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-fred-warner-jersey , striking out 62 batters in 41 1/3 innings. He gets probably his easiest test of the year against the Royals, who scored a major league-low 58 runs in June – the second-lowest output was Tampa Bay at 87.

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Sam Bradford is suited up for the Minnesota Vikings as the backup to quarterback Case Keenum, with Teddy Bridgewater on the inactive list for the divisional round playoff game against New Orleans.

Bradford played in only 1+ games this season because of a knee injury he eventually had surgery on.

He was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 8 so the Vikings could activate Bridgewater, who took only 10 snaps at the end of the game on Dec. 17 and has not seen significant action in a meaningful game in two years.

Bradford started the opener against the Saints, posting a career-best 143.0 passer rating in leading the Vikings to a 29-19 victory.

Also inactive on Sunday for the Vikings: quarterback Kyle Sloter, wide receiver Stacy Coley http://www.49ersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-tarvarius-moore-jersey , running back Mack Brown, defensive end Tashawn Bower, center Cornelius Edison and guard Danny Isidora.

The Vikings moved right tackle Mike Remmers to left guard, with Nick Easton out with a broken ankle. Rashod Hill took Remmers’ spot.

For the Saints, wide receiver Brandon Coleman was ruled out with a neck injury.

Also inactive: running back Jonathan Williams, defensive end Kasim Edebali http://www.49ersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kentavius-street-jersey , center Cameron Tom, tight end John Phillips, offensive tackle Bryce Harris and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad.

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