Nationals' lineup for second game of three in KC: Wilson Ramos returns vs Royals

Wilson Ramos rejoined the Washington Nationals before the series finale in St. Louis on Sunday, returning from time off on the bereavement list following the death of his grandfather.

Nats' skipper Dusty Baker told reporters after the win over the Cardinals that they were going to work the catcher back in slowly.

"He was still torn up, you could tell, still emotional," Baker explained.

"We really didn't want to activate him, but they said since he was here we had to activate him, so we're going to give him today and tomorrow off to get some work in running, catching bullpens, throwing to second base to get back into baseball mode.

"I'm sure it's going to be a tough period for him for the next -- who knows, rest of your life. Anybody that's lost a father or a grandfather, realizes that you never ever really get over it, you just learn to live with it or without them."

Ramos returns to the lineup tonight with a .316/.328/.491 line on the year, four doubles and two home runs in 15 games and 58 plate appearances.

He's thrown out 4 of 8 base stealers so far and posted a .985 fld% through the first fifteen he's played in.

Jose Lobaton filled in for Ramos while he was gone with Pedro Severino getting a start as well, but Ramos is back now and in the lineup tonight for the second game of three with the Royals in Kansas City.

Tanner Roark starts vs the Royals tonight.

Here's the lineup for tonight's game in Kauffman Stadium (and well-played by the Nationals adding the "Daddy Roark" to the lineup card):

Lining up for the second game of the series in Kansas City. First pitch slated for 8:15 PM ET. pic.twitter.com/ri27FrNl2o

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) May 3, 2016