Kevin

Kouzmanoff

Kouzmanoff was scheduled for X-rays. If it’s nothing serious, he’ll remain a top candidate for a September callup.

Kouzmanoff left Thursday’s game after being hit on the wrist by a pitch.

The 24-year-old Kouzmanoff is proving to be way too good for Double-A, but the Indians aren’t going to promote him when they already have Andy Marte starting at third base in Triple-A. Kouzmanoff is hitting .420/.459/.650 in 143 at-bats.

Kouzmanoff, who is batting .432 this season, missed three weeks with a strained left hamstring.

Kouzmanoff’s homer off Dustin Hermanson brought the White Sox to within two runs in the seventh inning. With Travis Hafner done, Kouzmanoff appears likely to play regularly the rest of the way, giving him a great deal of value in AL-only leagues.

The Indians are trying to work the kid into the lineup any way they can, but with Travis Hafner due back Thursday, the at-bats will soon be limited if there are no plans to play Kouzmanoff at first.

It tied for the worst loss in Astros franchise history. Kouzmanoff, acquired from the Athletics last month, added three runs scored and five RBI. Chris Iannetta also had five RBI, three coming on an eighth-inning home run. The Rockies racked up 25 hits in all. Mark Ellis, Kouzmanoff and Seth Smith had three apiece and Thomas Field, Jordan Pacheco and Ty Wigginton had four each (Wigginton finished a homer away from the cycle). Even Colorado starter Kevin Millwood had success, bashing his second homer of the season to push his average to .158 and slugging percentage to .474. Unfortunately for Kouzmanoff, his slugging percentage for the season (.362) is more than 100 points lower than the journeyman starter’s -- and that’s his game’s calling card. The Crushin’ Russian seems likely to be non-tendered over the winter.

Kouzmanoff is still a slick defender, but the Royals didn’t really have much room for him on their major league roster. He went 3-for-10 in the Cactus League this spring.

Bastian says the Indians were only “checking in” and that their level of interest, for now, is very minimal. Kouzmanoff posted a weak .235/.284/.372 batting line over 257 plate appearances this past season between the A’s and Rockies. The 30-year-old infielder will likely have to settle for a one-year deal.

Kouzmanoff, 30, batted .235/.284/.372 with seven home runs, 33 RBI and a .656 OPS over 257 plate appearances this season between the Rockies and Athletics. The Pirates would like to find a backup plan in case Pedro Alvarez flames out again, but Kouzmanoff is believed to be seeking a starting job at the moment. That’s probably wishful thinking on his part, though.