Chris Carpenter could return to the Cardinals rotation this week, which would be a huge emotional lift. He historically has been one of the biggest difference-makers of his era. …
Jason Hammel's knee injury is a major concern for the Orioles. He had made only two starts since coming off the disabled list but was showing signs of being a No. 1 starter on a staff that needs one. It's amazing what manager Buck Showalter is doing with such a low-profile rotation. …
The Tigers quietly have had minor league hitting coordinator Toby Harrah in Detroit working with struggling young hitters such as Brennan Boesch and Mike Avila for a couple of months, helping out hitting coach Lloyd McClendon. …
Don't leave out Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre when you discuss MVP candidates in the American League. He might be the best two-way player in the game, but Josh Hamilton gets more traction as the Rangers' candidate. …
While Davey Johnson seems like the leading candidate for NL Manager of the Year, the Detroit Free Press' John Lowe asks a good question â€" has Bruce Bochy done the best job of managing a bullpen without a full-time closer since Whitey Herzog in 1985 (when Jeff Lahti and Ken Dayley took over after Bruce Sutter signed with the Braves)? …
Mark Buehrle should need only two or three more starts to become the 23rd big-leaguer to have 12 consecutive seasons with 200-plus innings. …
Derek Jeter has 190-plus hits in 11 seasons; the only other big-leaguers who did that were Pete Rose (13 seasons) and Ty Cobb (12 seasons). …
Chase Utley continues to take grounders at third base and could wind up playing there at some point for the Phillies with Placido Polanco out and Kevin Frandsen limited. …
While Chris Archer took a 14th-inning loss for the Rays on Thursday, the guy who was the centerpiece in the Cubs' Matt Garza trade looks ready to move into the rotation in 2013. The Rays finally may trade some pitching for a run-producing bat in the off-season. …
Paco Rodriguez, who took Thursday's loss for the Dodgers, pitched in the College World Series for Florida in June. He was the 82nd player drafted. …
Mike Zunino, who caught Rodriguez at Florida, was playing a key role in the Southern League playoffs and could take over as the Mariners' regular catcher at some point in 2013, if not straight out of spring training. Don't be surprised if Jesus Montero and John Jaso wind up catching some but getting most of their future at-bats as first basemen and DHs. Justin Smoak looks a lot like a future Astro or Pirate. …
With the Rangers hitting the 3 million mark in attendance for the first time, only seven franchises never have reached that level â€" the White Sox, Rays, A's, Royals, Reds, Pirates and Nationals. The Dodgers are on track to reach it for the 25th time, the most in the majors. … Reports of the Red Sox being for sale appear unfounded, although you wonder how much fun it can be to own the team these days.
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