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Today’s pitch count is 6.

1. Not that he’s on many fantasy baseball rosters, except for maybe the deepest of AL-only leagues, but Luke Hochevar left the game tonight with an undisclosed rib cage injury. Not to scream out only bad news about Royals baseball, you could do a lot worse than Mike Aviles for you shortstop or middle infield needs. He had two hits tonight and is hitting .320 over 262 at-bats.
2. Note to American League pitchers. You might want to rethink your strategy of walking Big Papi to get to Youk. Kevin Youkilis popped a two-run home run tonight, and drove in another run in the eigth after David Ortiz was intentionally walked. In the last week Youk is .364/.440/.955 with 8 runs scored, 3 homers, and 8 RBI.
3. A.J. Burnett was 5-0 over the last month with a 3.94 ERA going into tonight’s game. To say he continued to pitch well is an understatement. He threw eight strong innings allowing five hits and only one earned. He also struck out 13 batters while only walking one. Strong stuff!!
4. Since we’re on the subject of strong pitching performances tonight, let’s look at Rich Harden’s 10 strikeout night. He threw seven innings and only allowed two hits. He didn’t give up any runs or walk anyone. Harden is averaging 8.42 strikeouts per outing over his last seven starts, or 1.40 strikeouts per inning. It look as if pushing his start back so that Harden could pitch in cooler weather was a superb idea.
5. Tigers 4th outfielder Matt Joyce belted two home runs tonight and could start seeing more playing time. Also, don’t be surprised if he gets moved higher in the batting order (he currently hits 7th) when he plays.
6. Let’s add Kevin Slowey to the list of great pitching performances tonight. He struck out 12 and walked none in his seven innings of work. He only gave up one earned run and five hits tonight while earning his tenth win of the season.

1. Diamondbacks top prospect Max Scherzer is continuing to build arm strength and raise his pitch count.  In each of his last four appearances he’s pitched one inning more than the last and his strikeout to walk ratio over that period has been 3.25 (26:8). If When the Diamondbacks need another starter, Scherzer should be the man.
2. Pirates closer Matt Capps has a Double-A appearance on Wednesday and a bullpen session to throw on Thursday. If both go well, he could return to Pittsburgh on Friday.
3. Even though Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright feels like he’s ready to return to the rotation, the Cards may force him to make another rehab start, if Chris Carpenter is ready to return soon.

Not that you’re dying to get his 3-11 record with a 4.76 ERA back into your lineup, but Aaron Harang seems to be ready for MLB action action after being placed on the DL before the All-Star break.

Harang pitched in a Triple-A rehab game Monday night and went six innings while striking out six and walking none. He threw only 69 pitches, 46 for strikes, and allowed only five hits.

Dusty Baker would like to see Harang make another rehab start in Louisville, but Harang would rather pitch in Cincinnati next. With the power of this great performance last night, Harang might get his way and be back in Cincinnati by this weekend.

Although Harang’s record is sub-par this season, he’s still a strikeout machine. And he is coming off of back-to-back 16 win seasons. Harang is an easy start in mixed leagues, and if you can get him really cheap via trade, you might try and do so.