SPORTS IN BRIEF

Donaldson back with Blue Jays

TORONTO (CP) — All-star third baseman Josh Donaldson is a step closer to rejoining the Blue Jays.

The team said Thursday Donaldson has flown back to Toronto after spending time rehabilitating his leg at the team’s facility in Dunedin, Fla. Donaldson has been on the 10-day disabled list since May 29 with left calf soreness. Manager John Gibbons said on Wednesday Donaldson would give the injured calf one last test in full-speed running drills before being declared gameready.

The Blue Jays had Thursday off and open a three-game interleague series with the Washington Nationals today. Donaldson has a .234 batting average with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 36 games this season. He has also missed time with numbness in his throwing shoulder.

The 2015 American League MVP is a .275 hitter with 179 homers and 544 RBIs.

Velasquez takes no-hitter into 7th

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Vince Velasquez took a no-hitter two outs into the seventh inning, Rhys Hoskins and Nick Williams hit solo homers and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Colorado Rockies 9-3 Thursday. Trevor Story lined Velasquez’s 105th pitch – a curve – to left for an RBI double, ending Velasquez’s bid for the fourth no-hitter in the majors this season.

Velasquez (5-7) got a standing ovation as he walked off the mound after the hit.

Oilers ink Caggiula to new deal

EDMONTON (CP) — The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Drake Caggiula to a two-year contract.

The 23-year-old from Pickering, Ont., appeared in 67 games with the Oilers in 2017-18, posting 20 points (13 goals, seven assists) and 37 penalty minutes, including three power-play goals and one game-winning goal.

The five-foot-10, 185-pound forward has appeared in 127 games over two seasons with the Oilers, compiling 38 points (20 goals, 18 assists) and 53 penalty minutes, five power-play goals and three game-winning goals. Caggiula has also appeared in 13 career playoff games, recording three goals.

Caggiula signed with Edmonton on May 7, 2016.