Chris Carpenter might return to Cardinals rotation this week

Chris Carpenter could return to the St. Louis Cardinals rotation this week, which would be a huge emotional lift. He historically has been one of the biggest difference makers of his era.

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Reports of the Boston 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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The Detroit Tigers have quietly had minor league hitting coordinator Toby Harrah working with struggling young hitters such as Brennan Boesch and Mike Avila for a couple of months, helping out hitting coach Lloyd McClendon.

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Jason Hammel’s knee injury is a major concern for the Baltimore 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.

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Although Chris Archer took a 14th-inning loss for Tampa Bay on Thursday, the guy who was the centerpiece in the Matt Garza trade to the Chicago Cubs looks ready to move into the Rays rotation in 2013. The Rays may finally trade some pitching for a run-producing bat in the off-season.

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Don’t leave out Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre when discussing candidates for most valuable player in the American League. He might be the best two-way player in the game, but Josh Hamilton gets more traction as Texas’ candidate.

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With the Rangers hitting the 3-million mark in attendance for the first time, only seven franchises have never reached that level: the Chicago White Sox, Rays, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals. The Dodgers are on track to reach it for the 25th time, the most in the majors.

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While Davey Johnson seems like the leading candidate for National League manager of the year, John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press asks a good question: Has Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants done the best job of managing a bullpen without a full-time closer since Whitey Herzog with the Cardinals in 1985, when Jeff Lahti and Ken Dayley took over after Bruce Sutter signed with the Atlanta Braves?

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Miami Marlins left-hander Mark Buehrle should need only two or three more starts to become the 23rd big league pitcher to have 12 consecutive seasons with 200-plus innings.

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Derek Jeter has 190-plus hits in 11 seasons with the New York Yankees; the only other big league players who did that were Pete Rose (13 seasons) and Ty Cobb (12 seasons).

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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.

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Mike Zunino, who caught Rodriguez at Florida, was playing a key role in the Southern League playoffs and could take over as the Seattle Mariners regular catcher at some point in 2013, if not straight out of spring training. Don’t be surprise if Jesus Montero and John Jaso wind up catching some but getting most of their future at-bats as first basemen and designated hitters. Justin Smoak looks a lot like a future Houston Astro or Pirate.

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Chase Utley continues taking grounders at third base and could wind up playing there at some point for the Philadelphia Phillies with Placido Polanco out and Kevin Frandsen limited.