Week's absence ends

The blog's weeklong absence has ended. Did you enjoy the silence?

Here's some of the major items and minutiae from the last week:

• Former Biscuit Jason Pridie returned to the major leagues with the Twins after Denard Span went on the disabled list.
• Rays reliever Chad Bradford ended his rehab stay in Montgomery and moved up to Durham.
• Shortstop Brandon Chaves returned from the Bulls to the Biscuits after the Rays activated Jason Bartlett from the DL and demoted Reid Brignac to Durham.
• Two Rays minor leaguers drew 50-game suspensions after positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs. Outfielder Franklin Alcala and pitcher Carlos Orasma were both in the Venezuelan Summer League.
• Jason Isringhausen, who had a rehab stop with the Biscuits earlier this year, blew out his elbow again and is likely finished for the year. The Rays called up Winston Abreu from Durham to take his spot.
• The independent Somerset Patriots had news involving three former Biscuits. Travis Minix, their stopper, signed with a Mexican League team. Jason Standridge signed and moved into the starting rotation. Brian Henderson returned from a staph infection.
• Charlotte pitchers Darin Downs and Matt Gorgen each threw one shutout inning in Saturday's Florida State League All-Star Game. Greg Sexton was 2-for-2 with an RBI and Cody Cipriano finished 1-for-5. Cipriano had a big hand in the South Division's 6-4 loss. His two-out error in the fourth led to the final two runs of the North Division's six-run rally.
• Pitcher Steve Andrade, released earlier this month by the independent York Revolution, signed with the independent Sioux City Explorers.
• The Yankees designated former Biscuit Jose Veras for assignment.
• The Durham Bulls, perhaps flummoxed over the lack of Biscuits news, haven't won. Durham has lost seven straight and 10 of 11 entering today's game with Pawtucket.
• Stanhope Elmore grad and Auburn slugger Joseph Sanders signed with the Colorado Rockies.
• Stanhope Elmore grad and Faulkner fireballer Austin Adams signed with the Cleveland Indians.