While noting that Triple-A pitcher Casey Daigle's life seems somewhat decent even if he doesn't get a September call-up to the Twins, here are some notes from around baseball .
* Josh Beckett's scheduled start Saturday has been pushed back until Tuesday because of what the Red Sox are calling "tingling" in his right hand. Beckett coughed up eight runs in 2.2 innings against the Blue Jays in his start Sunday, marking the second time in four outings that he's given up eight runs. Manager Terry Francona blamed the tingling hand on Beckett sleeping awkwardly on his shoulder, but Beckett indicated that he's been pitching through it for much of the season.
"It's just something I've been dealing with," Beckett said. "At some point you've got to figure out what it is. As far as pain goes there's pretty much no pain at all. It's just that we've got to figure out what the hell it was." For now we'll assume that Beckett will make his newly rescheduled start Tuesday against the Yankees, but it certainly wouldn't be shocking if the Red Sox decide to play it safe and shut him down for a while. Beckett is 4-4 with a 5.77 ERA in eight starts since July 1.
* George Sherrill underwent an MRI exam after struggling to loosen up in the bullpen Monday and was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with shoulder inflammation. Thrust into the closer role after spending the first four years of his career as a situation left-hander, Sherrill has done a solid job by converting 31-of-37 (84 percent) saves chances. However, his 4.47 ERA leaves something to be desired and he's struggled to consistently throw strikes, with 30 walks in 50.1 innings.
Sherrill has four blown saves and a 6.97 ERA in his last 22 appearances dating back to mid-June, including allowing seven runs in six outings prior to landing on the DL. He's eligible to return for September and would likely resume closing, but probably hasn't shown enough to keep the gig next season. In the meantime, Jim Johnson's 2.37 ERA makes him the favorite for saves, but a 35-to-27 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 64.2 innings suggests that he's due to come back to earth.
* Kevin Slowey is known for his pinpoint control that usually makes up for less than spectacular raw stuff, which is why Tuesday's start came as such a surprise. Slowey tossed seven innings of two-run ball against the A's, shattering his previous career-high with 12 strikeouts. In his first 30 career starts, Slowey struck out six or more batters just seven times and totaled more than eight strikeouts just once, when he fanned nine in a win over the White Sox last September.
Not only did Slowey rack up a dozen strikeouts Tuesday, he did so without issuing a single walk, becoming just the seventh pitchers in the Twins' nearly 50-year history with at least 12 strikeouts in a start that featured zero free passes. Johan Santana did it three times and Jim Kaat did it twice, with Camilo Pascual, Bert Blyleven, Dean Chance, and Mark Guthrie each doing it once. Slowey is now 14-9 with a 4.05 ERA and 132-to-26 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 31 career starts.
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* Billy Wagner was originally slated to come off the disabled list Monday following a minor-league rehab assignment, but those plans were canceled when an examination Sunday found continued stiffness in his injured left elbow. Wagner underwent further testing Tuesday and was not cleared to resume throwing because of swelling and soreness. Wagner told reporters Tuesday night that he'll pitch again this season, but the injury situation has clearly worsened and a return isn't close.
* Placed on the disabled list Monday with a sports hernia, Ian Kinsler has decided to put off what would be season-ending surgery for two weeks in an effort to play again this year. Doctors have reportedly told Kinsler that he may be able to play through the injury, but at this stage of the year it makes little sense given that the Rangers are 15.5 games back in the AL West and 11.5 games out in the Wild Card race. At best he could return for the final 10-15 games of the season.
AL Quick Hits:Armando Galarraga picked up his 12th win by beating his former team Tuesday, holding the Rangers to three runs over six innings . Out since June 22 with a knee injury, Hideki Matsui returned from the disabled list Tuesday, pushing Brett Gardner to the bench . According to manager Dave Trembley, Adam Jones could resume baseball activities as soon as Friday after fracturing his foot on August 3 . Troy Percival (knee) said Monday that he expects to come off the DL when eligible on August 30 . Brandon McCarthy (elbow) is expected to make his season debut Sunday against the Indians, making him a worthwhile pickup in AL-only leagues . Brian Buscher went 3-for-5 with a homer and five RBIs Tuesday, giving him a .314 batting average and 38 RBIs in 44 games . Milton Bradley left Tuesday's game with knee soreness, setting him up for more time on the sidelines . A.J. Burnett racked up a season-high 13 strikeouts while holding the Yankees to one run over eight innings Tuesday, winning his sixth straight start and 16th game overall . Daily Dose favorite Anthony Reyes turned in his third solid outing in three tries with the Indians, improving to 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA since being traded.
NL Quick Hits:Rich Harden fanned 10 over seven shutout innings Tuesday, improving to 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA in seven starts since joining the Cubs . As expected, the Dodgers acquired Greg Maddux for two players to be named later or cash considerations Tuesday, sliding him into Brad Penny's rotation spot . Ryan Braun sat out Tuesday's game after aggravating his ribcage injury Monday night and said that it's "probably not going to go away completely while I'm playing, so I'll have to deal with it" . Chris Carpenter (shoulder) reported no problems after throwing from flat ground Tuesday, leaving him on track to rejoin the rotation next week . Scheduled to come off the disabled list Friday, Matt Capps has reportedly shed 15 pounds while rehabbing his shoulder injury . Joey Votto rejoined the Reds' lineup Tuesday after not starting for two weeks following the death of his father . Ronnie Belliard went 4-for-4 with a double Tuesday and is now hitting .440 this month . Aaron Harang's next scheduled start has been pushed back to Friday because of neck spasms, so he'll head to Coors Field instead of facing the Cubs' league-leading offense.
