With the rosters set to expand in September, every team will have a chance to add some fresh faces to the mix for the stretch run.
Whether it’s a top prospect making his big league debut, a Minor Leaguer getting another chance to establish himself at the MLB level or a veteran returning from injury, here’s one callup for all 30 teams who could make a big impact in the final month of the 2022 regular season.
(Note: From Sept. 1 through the end of the regular season, all clubs must carry 28 players — two more than usual — on their active roster, with a limit of 14 pitchers.)
Blue Jays: C Gabriel Moreno (MLB No. 7, Blue Jays No. 1)
Moreno had an 18-game run with the Blue Jays earlier this season when Danny Jansen was out, and while the numbers weren’t there at the time, the young star has hit everything since returning to Triple-A. The Blue Jays were most impressed with how Moreno handled the speed and pressure of the big leagues, which will be key in September’s big moments, and it would also be a nice safety net for the Blue Jays to have a third catcher behind Jansen and Alejandro Kirk, especially given how often Kirk starts at DH when everyone is healthy. — Keegan Matheson
Orioles: SS/3B Gunnar Henderson (MLB No. 2, Orioles No. 1)
Come the outset of the year, the hopes were that Henderson would continue his rise enough to make his way into the conversation for the Opening Day roster in 2023. He’s exceeded expectations, not only rising to the No. 2-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline but also becoming a real candidate to debut before the close of the season — perhaps to try and will the club into the postseason. The front office has said that Henderson is on the “radar screen” to join the club before the end of September. Now, it appears, is finding the exact time they want to call him up. — Zachary Silver
Rays: SS Wander Franco
Franco’s eventual return from the injured list (fractured right hamate) won’t quite match the hype he generated leading up to his Major League debut last June, but it could be a huge boost for a Rays team that’s starting to get healthy — and get on a roll — down the stretch. This has been a disappointing, injury-riddled sophomore season for Franco, but he still has a chance to make an impact. Adding the switch-hitting shortstop to a lineup that’s recently regained hot-hitting Harold Ramírez and Manuel Margot, while also seeing Randy Arozarena hit his stride, could make the Rays a real threat come October. — Adam Berry
Red Sox: 1B Triston Casas (MLB No. 26, Red Sox No. 2)
If not for the high right ankle sprain that sidelined him for a couple of months, Casas would have gotten the call much earlier. The Red Sox would like to get a live look at their most advanced hitting prospect, and that chance could come this September. It is a bit tricky for manager Alex Cora to find time for Casas because DH J.D. Martinez is in the final year of his contract and first baseman Eric Hosmer will take back his position once he returns from the injured list. But once the Red Sox officially fall out of postseason contention, it would be a good opportunity to see how Casas will perform against Major League pitching. The Red Sox drafted Casas in the first round of the 2018 Draft (26th overall) out of American Heritage HIgh School in South Florida. That is also where Hosmer went to high school. — Ian Browne
Yankees: SS Oswald Peraza (MLB No. 53, Yankees No. 3)
Peraza is banging on the big league door after a strong performance this season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 22-year-old shortstop has produced a double-digit home run total and slick defense, prompting many fans to lobby for his promotion — Isiah Kiner-Falefa didn’t hit his first homer until Aug. 13. The Yankees are steadfast that they will not displace Kiner-Falefa from shortstop, especially in a pennant race, but Peraza has earned an opportunity to show what he can do in the Majors. — Bryan Hoch
Guardians: RHP Cody Morris (Guardians No. 15)
Morris has been on the injured list all season, but all signs seem to be pointing toward the team activating him in September. Morris has been starting games during his rehab assignment, but Cleveland has been making sure he’s comfortable with working in relief to give the team the option to add him to the big league roster. Although his professional journey has been littered with injuries, his stuff when he’s healthy has been attention-grabbing. His heater can reach 97 mph, and he was dominant when he returned to the mound last year, recording a 1.62 ERA with 93 strikeouts in 61 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. And with positive reports throughout his rehab assignment, it would be surprising if the Guardians didn’t bring him up to add bullpen depth for the homestretch of the regular season. — Mandy Bell
Royals: SS Maikel Garcia
The Royals have an interesting decision on their hands with how many young position players they already have on their big league roster and the balance manager Mike Matheny has to take every day to get everyone playing time. So there’s a case to be made that they would want Garcia, 22, to stay in Triple-A to get everyday at-bats, rather than configure his playing time alongside the other Royals infielders, like Bobby Witt Jr., Michael Massey and Nicky Lopez. But Garcia is tearing up Triple-A with an .846 OPS since he was optioned there in early August. The other option is outfielder Nate Eaton, but because he was optioned on Aug. 22, he won’t be able to return until 15 days later, which is the second week of September. — Anne Rogers
Tigers: 1B Spencer Torkelson
In an ideal world, Torkelson would’ve been putting the finishing touches on a Rookie of the Year campaign right about now. But nothing has turned out ideal this year for the Tigers or for Torkelson, who was optioned to Triple-A Toledo at the All-Star break batting just .197. His Mud Hens tenure started out even worse, but he has shown signs of improvement in the last couple weeks with a more consistent approach and timely hitting. A September return is far from guaranteed, but the Tigers would like to send Torkelson into the offseason with some positive momentum and give the next general manager an idea how to plan out first base for next year. — Jason Beck
Twins: OF Trevor Larnach
There might perhaps be a flashier top prospect here if the 40-man roster were healthier or if roster expansion still operated under the old system of giving teams access to all 40 of those players. As things stand, the 40-man is mostly full, with many of the youngsters yet to see action either injured or not performing in the Minors. That leaves us with Larnach, the organization’s former No. 3 prospect, who appears the most guaranteed to return with a degree of impact after he is expected to begin a rehab assignment at some point this week following a lengthy buildup from a bilateral surgical repair of his core. He could significantly boost the club’s pop in the outfield. Others like Tyler Mahle, Bailey Ober, Josh Winder, Ryan Jeffers and Kenta Maeda could also be factors upon their returns from injury. — Do-Hyoung Park
White Sox: IF Lenyn Sosa (White Sox No. 4)
The White Sox have a number of veterans on the IL who could return in September, but as far as impact additions from the Minors go, Sosa is the most likely choice, with it being unlikely the team promotes outfielder Oscar Colas, the organization’s No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, from Double-A Birmingham. Sosa, who rose to the No. 4 White Sox prospect in the midseason re-ranking, might not get the same September playing time with the big league club as he would with Triple-A Charlotte, but Chicago could find use for him as a power bat off the bench. Third baseman/designated hitter Jake Burger would be another candidate, but he’s currently on the IL with the Knights and dealing with a non-displaced left wrist fracture after being hit by a pitch. — Scott Merkin
Angels: RHP Chase Silseth (Angels No. 7)
Silseth has already seen action with the Angels this year and could be brought up to add some pitching depth in September. He was the first player drafted in 2021 to reach the Majors. He struggled in his first taste of the big leagues with a 6.59 ERA in seven starts but has pitched well at Double-A Rocket City with a 2.63 ERA in 12 starts. — Rhett Bollinger
Astros: RHP Hunter Brown (MLB No. 71, Astros No. 1)
There’s really nothing left for Brown to accomplish at Triple-A, where he’s dominated Pacific Coast League hitters all season. He has a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .186 batting average against and 134 strikeouts in 106 innings in 23 games (14 starts) for Sugar Land. The question now for the Astros is whether they view him as a viable weapon out of the bullpen for October, which is why they might choose to test drive him in that role in September. Houston’s rotation, one of the best in baseball, is already six arms deep, so there’s not a spot for him there. But Brown’s 99-mph fastball, devastating curveball and ability to pitch multiple innings could give the Astros an added dimension in the playoffs. — Brian McTaggart
Athletics: LHP Ken Waldichuk (MLB No. 70, Athletics No. 3)
The centerpiece of the package acquired by the A’s from the Yankees in exchange for Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino at the Trade Deadline, Waldichuk has impressed since joining the organization by posting a 3.38 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings over his first four starts at Triple-A Las Vegas. Ranked as Oakland’s No. 3 prospect, Waldichuk has a strong case for getting a look in the big leagues before season’s end. — Martín Gallegos
Mariners: LHP Matthew Boyd
It’s not often that a seven-year veteran is considered a “callup,” but Boyd’s case is unique given he was acquired at the Trade Deadline and has been on a Minor League rehab assignment while recovering from a left elbow strain. So, the Seattle-area native hasn’t even made a contribution yet for the team he grew up rooting for. At his best, Boyd was one of the AL’s top strikeout starting pitchers, and the Mariners are hoping he can regain some of that mojo in a multi-inning, lefty specialist role out of the bullpen. — Daniel Kramer
Rangers: 3B Josh Jung (MLB No. 39, Rangers No. 1)
The Rangers’ top prospect was expected to push for the Opening Day third baseman job in Spring Training, especially after the club dealt 2020 American League Gold Glove Award winner Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the Twins. But Jung ultimately underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder before camp even started. Jung returned to Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 9 and hasn’t stopped raking since. In 15 games with the Express, Jung is slashing .297/.357/.656 with a 1.013 OPS, six home runs and 20 RBIs. General manager Chris Young said Jung’s callup seems imminent, but it’s about making sure he’s fully healthy before throwing him into the fire. — Kennedi Landry
Braves: C Chadwick Tromp
By adding a third catcher, the Braves can more comfortably utilize William Contreras or Travis d’Arnaud as a designated hitter. Tromp’s presence could also create some opportunities to use Contreras or d’Arnaud as a pinch-hitter. Once the Braves activate Ozzie Albies from the injured list, the second baseman could see some time as the DH, but there could still be room to carry Tromp just to create opportunities for the two primary catchers. — Mark Bowman
Marlins: IF Jordan Groshans (Marlins No. 13)
This one’s a tough call because Miami already has called up prospects JJ Bleday, Peyton Burdick, Jerar Encarnacion and Andrew Nardi. Right-hander Sixto Sánchez would be the obvious answer, but he is experiencing right shoulder inflammation that will require a cortisone shot on Monday. So, the next most-likely callup is Groshans, whom the Marlins acquired in the Anthony Bass/Zach Pop trade from the Blue Jays. The only problem, though, is that Groshans isn’t on the 40-man roster. — Christina De Nicola
Mets: OF Travis Jankowski
While fans will continue clamoring for top prospects Francisco Álvarez and Mark Vientos until the day they debut, the Mets are more likely to use their September callups on marginal roster improvements. They re-signed Jankowski for just that reason, hoping he can help them in September (and possibly October) as a source of speed and defense off the bench. Jankowski’s teammates will welcome back the clubhouse favorite with open arms. — Anthony DiComo
Nationals: RHP Mason Thompson
Sidelined by injury early in the season, Thompson has made nine relief appearances (1.13 ERA, eight innings) at the Major League level. He has been getting reps in Triple-A, where he is stretching out to throw multiple frames. Thompson, 24, is part of the Nationals’ future bullpen plans and is a likely candidate to finish the season with the team in the bigs. — Jessica Camerato
Phillies: DH/1B Darick Hall
The Phillies just optioned Hall to Triple-A Lehigh Valley last week because he had not played much recently with Kyle Schwarber assuming DH duties because of a strained right calf. Hall’s playing opportunities figured to shrink even further with Bryce Harper’s return on Friday. But the Phillies liked Hall’s production when he replaced Harper on the roster in late June. He batted .264 with nine home runs, one triple, 16 RBIs, an .846 OPS and a 131 OPS+ in 135 plate appearances. It might not happen immediately, but it is easy to imagine Hall coming off the bench late in a game and smacking a big home run for the Phillies at some point in September. He has that type of power. — Todd Zolecki
Brewers: RHP Trevor Gott
It was supposed to be veteran closer Trevor Rosenthal, whom the Brewers acquired from the Giants at the Trade Deadline while he was rehabbing a hamstring injury. But Rosenthal had a major setback when he suffered yet another injury while pitching for Triple-A Nashville — this time it’s his right lat — and now he seems unlikely ever to throw a pitch for Milwaukee. Someone else will have to be that arm, and perhaps it will be a group effort during the month of September between candidates like right-handers Jake Cousins and Trevor Kelley and left-hander Ethan Small, all of whom have pitched in the big leagues this season. Or, if he’s ready in time, it could be Gott, a reliable bullpen piece this year who has had a couple of stints on the injured list, including currently with a right forearm strain. Gott recently began throwing again and felt so good he expected the process to go fast. The question is whether he can be ready for when rosters expand on Thursday. — Adam McCalvy
Cardinals: RHP Jack Flaherty
With 13 Cards rookies having already made their MLB debuts this season, many of the possible candidates have already shined at the MLB level with the Cardinals. Instead of it being a young player to get a callup, it is Flaherty who is the logical choice for this category because the Cardinals are still holding out hope that the right-hander can regain the form he had early last season when he was 9-1 before tearing an oblique. This season has mostly been a wash for Flaherty, but he can certainly salvage it with a strong finish. After missing the first 2 1/2 months of the season with shoulder pain, he returned for three choppy starts before heading back to the injured list. Flaherty will be a part of the Sept. 1 callups following a final Minor League rehab assignment in Memphis on Wednesday. The Cardinals are encouraged that his velocity has returned — he’s hit 97, 96 and 95 mph several times — but his command is still an issue. If Flaherty can somehow resemble the pitcher of 2019 or early ‘21, he could potentially be the piece that puts the Cardinals over the top against the Dodgers, Mets or Braves in the rugged National League. — John Denton
Cubs: RHP Adbert Alzolay
Going into this season, the Cubs hoped to have Alzolay in the rotation to build on the strides he made in 2021. The right-hander was then sidelined with a shoulder issue in Spring Training and has spent this season recovering, rehabbing and working toward a comeback. On Saturday, Alzolay struck out six over two innings in a Minor League rehab game with Triple-A Iowa and, while he is expected to have at least one more outing with the I-Cubs, the big leagues should be in his near future, barring any setbacks. It will give Alzolay, 27, a chance to prove to the Cubs and himself he is healthy heading into this winter, with the goal of returning in 2023 either as a starter or multi-inning relief weapon. — Jordan Bastian
Pirates: OF Jack Suwinski
Suwinski burst onto the scene earlier this season, getting the callup from Double-A Altoona when the Pirates had a couple players go on the COVID IL in late-April. In his first stint with the Pirates, Suwinski hit 14 home runs, including three on Father’s Day against the Giants. Suwinski struggled hard when the calendar flipped to July, but following several weeks in Triple-A Indianapolis, he makes sense as a September addition when the rosters expand. — Justice delos Santos
Reds: INF Spencer Steer (Reds No. 7)
Acquired in the deal that sent starting pitcher Tyler Mahle to the Twins at the Trade Deadline, the right-handed-hitting Steer has drawn some comparisons to Brandon Drury. The 24-year-old made adjustments to start hitting for power in 2021 and has 15 homers this season. That includes three home runs since joining Triple-A Louisville while batting .301 with an .859 OPS in 21 games. Primarily a third baseman or second baseman, the organization has had Steer playing those spots as well as shortstop, first base and right field as it looks at potential spots for him to play in the big leagues. — Mark Sheldon
D-backs: OF Corbin Carroll (MLB No. 3, D-backs No. 1)
Expected to get the call Monday, Carroll is Arizona’s most anticipated position player promotion since outfielder Justin Upton in 2007. Carroll was the D-backs’ No. 1 pick (16th overall) in the 2019 Draft out of Lakeside High School. While the organization has promoted a number of players over the last year-plus and is still teeming with prospects, Carroll is considered the best of the bunch because of the combination of his tools and makeup. He adds another outstanding glove and tremendous range to a young, athletic outfield and not only the ability to hit for average but also possesses double-digit home run power. — Steve Gilbert
Dodgers: RHP Blake Treinen
When Treinen went down with a right shoulder injury back in April, there was real concern that the right-hander would be lost for the season. Surgery to repair the damage was on the table. But Treinen elected to rehab the injury and it has paid off, at least for now. Treinen has continued to progress at Triple-A OKC, touching 98 mph in his last outing. He’ll have to clear the hurdle of being able to pitch on back-to-back nights. Once he does that, the expectation is that Treinen will be back with the Dodgers on Sept. 2, giving their bullpen a massive boost. — Juan Toribio
Giants: RHP Ken Giles
The Giants have recently struggled to find reliable back-end arms outside of closer Camilo Doval, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they took a look at Giles, who was added to Triple-A Sacramento’s roster after joining the organization on a Minor League deal last week. Giles missed the 2021 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he was one of the most dominant closers in the Majors when healthy, logging a 1.87 ERA with 23 saves and a 39.9% strikeout rate over 53 appearances with the Blue Jays in 2019. — Maria Guardado
Padres: OF Matt Beaty
Beaty’s first month with the Padres was a rough one. He batted .108 with a .364 OPS before sustaining a shoulder injury. But Beaty, a lefty-hitting on-base threat, might still have an important role to play in San Diego. When the Padres designated Nomar Mazara, they left themselves without a lefty hitter on their bench. Beaty has been swinging the bat well at Triple-A El Paso, and he batted .270/.363/.402 with the Dodgers last season. — AJ Cassavell
Rockies: SS Ezequiel Tovar (MLB No. 28, Rockies No. 2)
Tovar’s last action at Double-A Hartford was June 28, when he and the Rockies determined that he was at risk playing through a right groin injury. The injury knocked him out of participating in the SiriusXM Futures Game during All-Star Weekend, but if the final stages of rehab go as expected he’ll receive an even bigger invitation — one to the Rockies to make his Major League debut. Tovar, who could be next in the line of Rockies-developed shortstops that includes Troy Tulowitzki and Trevor Story, slashed .318/.386/.546 in 66 games at Hartford, with 15 doubles, three triples and 13 home runs. — Thomas Harding