MLB Player News

Martin (finger) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Martin was placed on the 15-day injured list last week with a blister on his right middle finger. Though he might only need one rehab start from a physical standpoint, Martin's struggles over the last several weeks could encourage the White Sox to keep him on his rehab assignment longer than that.

Woo (shoulder) threw his normal between-starts bullpen session Thursday, Zach Sweet of MLB.com reports.

Woo had to leave his last outing versus the Astros on Sunday after 75 pitches because of right shoulder soreness. However, Woo and the Mariners downplayed the issue at the time, and he appears in line to make his next scheduled start Saturday against the Cubs, provided he bounces back from Thursday's mound work with no hiccups.

The Phillies recalled Reyes from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday and placed him on the 60-day injured list with a right wrist fracture.

Reyes suffered the injury last week at Lehigh Valley when he was hit by a pitch, and he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. Putting Reyes on the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Andrew Hoffmann, who was claimed off waivers.

The Phillies claimed Hoffmann (undisclosed) off waivers from the Diamondbacks on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Hoffmann has not made an appearance since early June because of an undisclosed injury suffered at the Triple-A level, but the Phillies felt comfortable enough with the reliever's health to scoop him up via waivers. When Hoffmann is ready to pitch, he'll provide relief depth at Lehigh Valley.

Wilson (shoulder) is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list and is unlikely to return this season, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Wilson is missing a fourth consecutive start for the Athletics on Thursday as he deals with nagging soreness in his left shoulder. The shortstop suffered a dislocated left shoulder earlier this season, and he is headed back to Sacramento to be examined by a doctor before the next steps are determined. Even if Wilson doesn't ultimately require surgery, it sounds like he will be shut down for the rest of the campaign. Wilson was limited to only 80 games this season, slashing a disappointing .266/.298/.388with seven home runs. With Wilson sidelined, the Athletics could use a combination of Darell Hernaiz and Alika Williams at shortstop for the time being. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (testicle) will also be an option at the position when he returns.

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.