Yankees get DH Alex Rodriguez back

The New York Yankees activated designated hitter Alex Rodriguez from the 15-day disabled list before Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Yankee Stadium.

Rodriguez, who was batting fifth in the lineup, had been on a minor league rehab assignment while rehabbing from a hamstring injury. He hit a home run Wednesday night for Trenton and was 3-for-6 in two games with the Thunder.

In other moves, the Yankees placed left-hander Chasen Shreve on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder and optioned infielder Rob Refsnyder to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The team also signed left-hander Richard Bleier to a major league contract and elevated him to the 25-man roster from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Shrove, who experienced recent shoulder soreness, has a 1-1 record with a 5.19 ERA in 19 outings this year. He worked the eighth inning in the Yankees' 8-4 loss to Toronto on Wednesday night, giving up two homers and three runs.

Refsnyder played in one game was with the Yankees and had a two-run double last Saturday in Oakland against the Athletics.

Bleier reached the major leagues for the first time in a ninth-year professional career. He is 2-2 with a 2.57 ERA this season in six games with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.