MLB Player News

Sulser (back) threw a clean inning for Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, per MLB.com.

Sulser started a minor-league rehab assignment, the final step before rejoining Tampa Bay's bullpen. The right-hander is recovering from lower-back spasms and should make his return before the end of August, barring any setbacks.

Blackburn notched a hold against the Orioles on Wednesday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.

Blackburn worked as the final bridge to closer David Bednar, entering in the eighth inning with New York up 5-3. The veteran right-hander got into a bit of trouble in yielding a one-out single and issuing a two-out free pass, but he got out of the jam by inducing a Leody Taveras popout. The scoreless frame earned Blackburn a hold for the second straight day and extended his streak of scoreless outings to 10 (spanning 11.1 innings). Blackburn has five holds during that span after registering just two holds across his initial 38 appearances of the campaign. He's earned the higher-leverage opportunities with what is tracking to be easily a career-best season that includes a 1.80 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB across 70 frames over 48 outings.

Pratt is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Mariners.

Pratt went 0-for-4 at the plate Wednesday in his return from the 10-day injured list. He's being eased back into action with a day off during Thursday's matinee. Joey Ortiz will hold down shortstop for the Brewers.

Rice went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in a 5-3 win against Baltimore on Wednesday.

Rice gave New York a 3-1 lead with a prodigious 447-foot solo blast in the third inning. It was the slugger's second long ball over his past three games and his 34th of the campaign, tied for fifth most in the majors. Fantasy managers who roster Rice are certainly glad to see his bat coming alive after he batted just .158 with only three home runs over his initial 27 contests following the All-Star break. Even with that slump, his .878 OPS ranks No. 13 in MLB.

Contreras is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Mariners.

It's a rare day off for Contreras, who had started each of the previous 12 contests for the Brewers. Gary Sanchez will do the catching and will bat cleanup in Thursday's rubber match.

Mitchell (foot) will start in center field and bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Mitchell was held out of action Wednesday due to a sore foot, but he is feeling well enough to return to action for Thursday's series finale. The outfielder has been scuffling so far in August with a .173/.307/.192 batting line.

Doyle has posted a 1.82 ERA and 51:22 K:BB over 39.2 innings covering his last eight starts with Double-A Springfield.

Doyle logged nine strikeouts -- including six in a row at one point -- over five innings of one-run ball in his last outing Wednesday. Walks have been an issue throughout the season for Doyle, but the control has been better over his last four starts as evidenced by a 10.0 percent walk rate. Doyle looks ready to be challenged at Triple-A Memphis, though it's unclear if there are plans to promote the first-round draft pick.

Raleigh is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Milwaukee.

Raleigh is slashing just .104/.271/.229 in August as his season-long offensive struggles continue. Jhonny Pereda will fill in at catcher for the Mariners in the series finale while Raleigh regroups.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Thursday that Arrighetti (foot) is "on track to pitch [Friday] if we need him," Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Arrighetti threw 3.2 innings and 50 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, and he came out of a bullpen session Wednesday with no issues. While the right-hander appears in line to be part of Toronto's pitching plan Friday against the Yankees, it's unclear whether he'll make a traditional start or work behind a bulk reliever. Arrighetti will be making his Blue Jays debut, as he was acquired via trade from the Astros on Aug. 3 after landing on the 15-day injured list in late July with Morton's neuroma in his right foot.

Guerrero has cleared concussion protocol and will play a rehab game with Single-A Dunedin on Thursday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Guerrero went through a full on-field workout Wednesday and bounced back well, clearing the way for him to get in some at-bats in the minors Thursday. As long as he comes out of that contest with no setbacks, Vlad Jr. will be activated from the 7-day injured list when first eligible ahead of Saturday's game versus the Yankees.