American League Central Notes: Drew Smyly, Chris Sale, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins

The White Sox and Indians are battling for first, but don’t sleep on the Tigers. You can probably sleep on the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins though. Here are your American League Central notes:

Jim Leyland says

Drew Smyly

‘s blister is the worst one he’s ever seen.

According to Chris Iott of Mlive.com

Leyland said, “It was huge. I’ve never seen a blood blister that big.”

Smyly had to leave yesterday’s game due to the blister on his left middle finger. Iott says the blister isn’t expected to keep Smyly from making his next scheduled start.

Chris Sale

has been a breakout star for the Chicago White Sox this season, but the team is intent on protecting the young lefty’s arm.

Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune

says the White Sox are going to closely monitor Sale’s innings. The team will likely give Sale extra rest leading up to the All-Star Game and after the game, even if Sale pitches in the game.

Sale is 8-2 with a 2.05 ERA this season. He has already struck out 76 batters in 74 2/3 innings pitched. In the month of June, Sale has pitched 17 innings and given up just two runs.

The Kansas City Royals sent prospect D’Andre Toney to the Houston Astros to complete a trade from March according to the Kansas City Star. The Royals had acquired Humberto Quintero and Jason Bourgeois from the Astros in exchange for Kevin Chapman and a player to be named later. Toney is that player to be named later. Toney was batting .340/.432/.587 in the Arizona Rookie League.

Ben Goessling of the Pioneer Press is reporting that Liam Hendriks could start Saturday for the Minnesota Twins. Ron Gardenhire said the Twins haven’t made a decision about a starter for Saturday, but Hendriks could very well fill that role. Hendriks has pitched in eight games for the Twins between 2010-2011 and has a career ERA of 7.40. However, he is working on a 15 2/3 innings scoreless streak at Triple-A Rochester.