The Arizona Diamondbacks hoped to have A.J. Pollock back before the All-Star break. The center fielder's thumb was in good shape Marvin Jones Jr Jersey , but he wanted to get his legs under him before returning.

Pollock came back earlier than expected, coming off the 10-day disabled list on Monday and putting a key bat back in Arizona's lineup as it tries to hold onto the NL West lead.

Pollock was slated to hit fourth against St. Louis in his first game back since breaking his left thumb while diving for a ball in the outfield against Milwaukee on May 14.

"I'm thankful that the guys here trusted me and allowed me to play a couple games and get back," Pollock said.

Pollock got off to a strong start this season, hitting.293 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs in 40 games before the injury. Arizona's division lead, once at six games with Pollock in the lineup, was down to 2 1/2 over the Los Angeles Dodgers after a three-game sweep by the San Francisco Giants over the weekend.

"Swing feels good, everything feels good Jonathan Bullard Jersey ," Pollock said.

Arizona also purchased the contract of right-hander Joey Krehbiel from Triple-A Reno and released right-hander Troy Scribner. Right-hander Silvino Bracho and utilityman Christian Walker were optioned to Reno.

The 25-year-old Krehbiel went 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 29 games with the Aces. He is looking for his big league debut.

Bracho went 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA in five stints with the Diamondbacks this season.

Walker hit .208 with a homer and two RBIs over four stints with Arizona.

Julian Edelman has made peace with the fact he won't be playing football for the first four weeks of the regular season.

It won't stop the veteran Patriots receiver from preparing like he will be on the field.

Edelman made several rounds of apologies to his team and fans following the four-game suspension handed down by the NFL for violating the league's policy on performance enhancers. Now he says he plans to use what's left of training camp to make sure his surgically repaired knee will be ready when he is able to return. The 32-year-old receiver missed the entire 2017 season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.

Working his way back has been a slow process that's just beginning to pick up.

"It's been a grind," Edelman said Friday. "You're compounding day after day after day after day. … You're always trying to go out and get better and I have to do a lot better. I feel like I got to get my legs under me a lot more."

Edelman will miss a home game against Houston, trips to Jacksonville and Detroit, plus a home game against Miami.

He will be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 1, enabling him to make his 2018 debut Oct. 4 against Indianapolis.

Part of the urgency for Edelman is fueled by changes the receiving corps has undergone since the end of last season. It will certainly have a fresh look to it when the season opens thanks to Edelman's suspension, the free agency departure of stalwart Danny Amendola and trade of Brandin Cooks to the Rams.

That is compounded even more with the uncertainty surrounding the status of Malcolm Mitchell, who has yet to participate in a full practice after spending last season on injured reserve (knee).

It's left openings for someone to earn playing time Kareem Jackson Jersey , and the list of candidates is long.

Among those in camp looking to make the roster are Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt, Cordarrelle Patterson and Braxton Berrios. Free agent Eric Decker signed with the team Friday following the release of Jordan Matthews earlier in the week.

Edelman said he is encouraged by the work so far from the group. He was particularly high on Patterson, a trade acquisition from Oakland.

"He's a great guy to be around," Edelman said. "He works hard, he's very athletic Josh Malone Jersey , and he definitely helps push the unit, so I'm happy we got him. He's going to contribute in a whole different other way. He's very versatile, and just from his track record I'm glad we have him."

Coach Bill Belichick also has been complimentary of the work Patterson has put in during camp.

"He has skills in offense and the kicking game in a number of different areas, return skills, coverage skills, blocking skills, catching skills Max Garcia Jersey ," Belichick said. "He's got some experience, so he's able to utilize that. He understands his skill set and how it matches up against different types of players."

NOTES: Friday marked Tom Brady's 41st birthday and the team gave him a celebration on par with the one for his 40th.

There was a balloon figure version of Brady and a giant No. 12 cake. There were also birthday cards set up outside the practice field entrance for fans to sign. Fans serenaded the 19-year veteran with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" after he took the field.

His teammates also got in on the act.  Mohamed Bamba Jersey