Prior, Out Since May, Will Pitch Sunday for Cubs

Mark Prior will return to the Chicago Cubs’ rotation and start Sunday’s game against the White Sox, Cub Manager Dusty Baker said Friday.

Prior has been on the disabled list since May 28 after he fractured his right elbow when he was hit by a line drive in a game against the Colorado Rockies the previous day.

Baker had planned to wait until today before picking Sunday’s starter, but announced his decision to go with Prior after the Cubs’ 12-2 loss to the White Sox.

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Five minor leaguers, including one from the Dodger organization, were suspended for 15 games by the commissioner’s office for violating baseball’s minor league drug policy.

The five minor league players suspended were Sergio Garcia an infielder in for the Dodgers’ double-A team in Jacksonville, Fla.; Jeff Bruksch, a pitcher in the Cincinnati organization who had pitched at Beverly Hills High, USC and Stanford; Brian Walker, a pitcher in the New York Met system; Jeffrey Kennard, a pitcher in the Yankee organization; and Josh Carter, an outfielder with Philadelphia.

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Baltimore Manager Lee Mazzilli and Seattle first baseman Richie Sexson were suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball after each threw objects onto the field following separate ejections last weekend.

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Curt Schilling moved closer to returning to Boston’s rotation, throwing another simulated game.

Schilling, sidelined because of a right ankle injury since April 24, is expected to pitch in a bullpen session on Sunday and make a start for triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday.