Ryan Braun is back in the lineup Wednesday for the Brewers. He’s been dealing with a lower back issue of late. Still amazed that so many people send me notes every day about wanting to move on from Braun. Yeah, who wants a guy who is on pace to go 25/20 with 90 runs and 90 RBIs?
David Buchanan was finally demoted. He has a 9.00 ERA and 1.96 WHIP over 49 innings for the Phillies. You can’t pitch much worse than that. I mean, can you?
Miguel Cabrera will return from his calf issue Friday. He may not play all three games this weekend though. No reason to think he doesn’t go out and mash as he always does.
Carlos Gomez has appeared in 11 games as an Astro. He’s stolen four bases. Other than that… not much as Gomez has one homer, four RBIs, five runs scored, a .239 average and a .619 OPS. He’s simply not the player that was drafted. His body is beat up and he’s really been someone else for most of the season.
Drew Hutchison is a superstar if you use him correctly. That would be when he is at home. He’s 9-1 with a 2.68 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in such a scenario.
Hisashi Iwakuma threw the first no-no in the AL since 2012 as he defeated the Orioles (the last one was by teammate Felix Hernandez). 
Hideo Nomo, another Japanese born hurler, threw two. Might be a bit careful with Iwakuma outlook moving forward given that he threw a career-high 118 pitches last outing and 116 today.
Joc Pederson is struggling so badly that his average is down to .220. He also had one homer in July and his total of 43 RBIs in three less than Curtis Granderson. In fact, Granderson has been better this season.
J. Pederson: .220-21-43-53-3
Granderson: .257-19-46-61-9
How do you like dem apples?
Rick Porcello will begin his rehab assignment Saturday as he works his way back from a triceps issue. My thought? Who cares?
Everyone is bashing the new Fantastic Four flick. Well, if you want to bash a Fantastic Four movie how about taking a look at the 1994 version that was never released in theaters.
Erasmo Ramirez has been a star this season. Seriously. From April 19th on, a span of 17 outings, he is 9-3 with a 2.49 ERA. Ramirez also has a 0.93 WHIP over those 105 innings. Read those numbers again. He’s been a borderline fantasy start since mid-April. Only part of his game that he hasn’t brought is the strikeout (6.77 per nine in that stretch). He ain’t sexy, but boy has he been a hell of an AL-only option this season, one who is now a mixed weapon as well.
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Anthony Rendon is batting .266 with one homer and no steals through 34 games. How is that first/second round draft pick treating you? Dreadful season, but still has oodles of talent.
Drew Smyly is this close to being activated from the DL to pitch Sunday. Working his way back from a shoulder issue, he made it through his Tuesday outing (his fourth) and should be good go to this weekend. Anyone’s guess though how many innings he’ll be allowed to go, especially right away.
Drew Stubbs was designated for assignment Wednesday a year after he hit .289 with 15 homers and 20 steals as a part time player for the Rockies. He’s been disappointing season, but some team will claim him and it’s not impossible to think that he will have some league specific value.
Giancarlo Stanton had surgery on his left hand. It was believed he would be back on the field by now. He’s obviously not. Not only is he not on the field for the Marlins but he’s still not even able to take batting practice. Also deserves to be pointed out that guys coming back from hamate bone surgery often struggle with power as they build back up their strength. He’s a risk the rest of the way.
Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday at 8 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).