MLB Player News

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.

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.

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.

Heim is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Heim started at catcher the last two days, so he will get a breather during Thursday's matinee. Brian Serven will be behind the dish for the Athletics.

Wilson (shoulder) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Royals.

It's the fourth straight absence for Wilson, who is battling nagging left shoulder soreness. Darell Hernaiz will fill in at shortstop as the Athletics try to avoid being swept.

Kirk went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Rays.

The backstop got the Jays on the board with a solo shot off Drew Rasmussen in the top of the fourth inning. Kirk has left the yard in consecutive games and three times in the last five as part of an eight-game hitting streak. Over that heater, he's produced a .424/.500/.758 slash line with two doubles, five runs, nine RBI and a 5:2 BB:K.

Jensen is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Athletics.

Jensen -- who is sporting a .178/.302/.346 batting line in the second half -- will get a routine breather after starting the last four contests. Luke Maile is grabbing a start at catcher for the Royals.

Caglianone (ankle) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Caglianone had to be pulled from Wednesday's contest due to right ankle soreness. Per Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Caglianone said after that game that the ankle issue had "been nagging for a little bit," but he's confident he "should be back in here pretty soon." Nick Loftin is playing right field Thursday in Caglianone's stead.