(Statistics through Thursday)

Luis Ayala, P, Braves: After returning from anxiety disorder, he's important part of bullpen (2.97 ERA).

Scott Baker, P, Cubs: Has given up one run in 11 innings after return from elbow surgery.

Grant Balfour, P, Athletics: 38 saves in 41 chances for AL West leaders.

Henry Blanco, C, Mariners: Defense keeps him in majors at 41. Hit only .138 for Blue Jays and Mariners.

Craig Breslow, P, Red Sox: A career year for lefty specialist, he's posted 1.91 ERA in 56 innings.

Alex Burnett, P, Cubs: Pitched two innings in majors. Ended up at Class AAA Iowa, but injury ended season in June.

Drew Butera, C, Dodgers: Called up to be third catcher, he's 0-for-2 in his only Dodgers appearance.

Jamey Carroll, IF, Royals: Not the way he wanted to go out: 3-for-33 with Royals, one hit shy of 1,000 for career.

Matt Carson, OF, Indians: Spent season in AAA, but 7-for-9 with a homer after September call-up.

Alexi Casilla, IF, Orioles: Mostly a pinch runner, has a career-low 109 at-bats and hit just .220.

Jesse Crain, P, Rays: All-Star season with White Sox (0.74) until shoulder injury, he hasn't pitched yet for Rays.

Michael Cuddyer, OF, Rockies: He leads NL in hitting (.331) and the Rockies in RBI (81).

R.A. Dickey, P, Blue Jays: Disappointing follow-up to Cy Young season, but he's 5-1 since Aug. 1.

Matt Garza, P, Rangers: 3.17 ERA with Cubs ballooned to 4.94 after midseason trade to Texas.

Carlos Gomez, OF, Brewers: Sensational year: .501 slugging, leads Brewers with 21 HRs, Gold Glove defense.

Matt Guerrier, P, Cubs: Pitched well for Cubs after Doders trade, but tore muscle in forearm in August.

J.J. Hardy, SS, Orioles: 26 doubles, 25 home runs, a .263 average and an All-Star berth.

Brendan Harris, IF, Rangers: Released by Angels in July after hitting .206, he landed with Rangers' AAA team.

LaTroy Hawkins, P, Mets: He's 40 but just keeps on getting hitters out: 3.11 ERA in 66 innings.

Sean Henn, P, Mets: A September callup after four years out of the majors, he's appeared in three games.

Philip Humber, P, Astros: Back with Astros after May demotion, but 7.86 ERA; Houston is 1-15 when he pitches.

Torii Hunter, OF, Tigers: Slowing down, but major contributor (17 HRs, 78 RBI) on a division champ.

Garrett Jones, OF, Pirates: .235 average and 14 HRs. He's in middle of Pirates renaissance.

Jason Kubel, OF, Indians: Bad season in Arizona has gotten worse in Cleveland, where he's 3-for-18 since trade.

Francisco Liriano, P, Pirates: 15 wins, 148 Ks in 148 innings, 2.92 ERA: He's the ace of a pennant contender.

Kyle Lohse, P, Brewers: Record just 10-10, but he was decent: Ate nearly 200 innings with 3.51 ERA.

Jeff Manship, P, Rockies: 0-5 with a 6.75 ERA in nine games (four starts), he's a mop-up man now.

Jason Marquis, P, Padres: Nine wins and 4.05 ERA, but elbow ligament injury ended season in late July.

Darnell McDonald, OF, Cubs: Mostly a defensive replacement, he's batted .238 in six weeks with Cubs.

Jose Mijares, P, Giants: Workload went up, but like most in Giants pen, results were worse: 67 hits in 48 innings

Corky Miller, C, Reds: Back in bigs for first time since 2010, he has hit .235 in sporadic use.

Justin Morneau, 1B, Pirates: No homers, one RBI for new team, but he's getting on base.

Pat Neshek, P, Athletics: Briefly demoted to AAA, he's appeared in 44 games, mostly when A's trail, with 3.40 ERA.

Joe Nathan, P, Rangers: Another All-Star season: 1.53 ERA, needs one save to reach 40 for fourth time.

David Ortiz, DH, Red Sox: Batting .307, should reach 30 HRs, 100 RBI; passed 2,000 career hits.

Ramon Ortiz, P, Blue Jays: Unlikely comeback at 40 paid off, but left mound in tears in June after elbow injury.

A.J. Pierzynski, C, Rangers: HRs fell to 17 but batted .278 and caught more than 100 games in Texas heat.

Nick Punto, IF, Dodgers: Spiritual leader of NL West champs has played 112 games, batted .258, two HRs.

Wilson Ramos, C, Nationals: Hamstring cost him half of season but still managed 15 HRs and 55 RBI.

Jon Rauch, P, free agent: Cut by Marlins in May with 7.56 ERA, pitched 10 games for Orioles' AAA team, then quit.

Rene Rivera, C, Padres: Defense got him back to the majors in July, but he's hit just .217 in 21 games.

Ben Revere, OF, Phillies: Batting .305 with 22 steals in July when he injured ankle and underwent surgery.

Johan Santana, P, Mets: Spent entire season on disabled list after shoulder surgery.

Kevin Slowey, P, Marlins: In rotation until bad five-game stretch in May; forearm injury ended season in July.

Denard Span, OF, Nationals: Slumped so badly he lost leadoff spot, but turned around with 29-game hitting streak.

Danny Valencia, 3B, Orioles: Up and down from minors, but has had strong stretch run (.418) as DH.

Delmon Young, OF, Rays: Only nine HRs; Phillies released him in August, but Rays signed him for postseason bench.