September 1st is the day on which MLB teams can expand their rosters. During the season teams play with a 25 man roster and a DL list. In September the roster can be expanded to include all of the players on the 40 man protected roster. To call up a player who is not on the 40-man roster, another move must be made to create room either taking someone off the 40-man roster, or putting a player on the 60-day disabled list, which opens up a 40-man roster spot. Not being on the 40 man roster minimizes a player’s chances of getting a September call up simply because of roster logistics.

The roster expansion in September allows teams competing for a playoff spot to fortify the roster for a September sprint to the finish line. Players may be added to help provide rest for starters or relievers, provide some power off the bench, give players a chance to get off the DL without rushing, bring some defensive skills or even pinch running skills to the MLB team. It is quite conceivable that Billy Hamilton will get a call up by the Cincinnati Reds simply to serve as a pinch runner.

Perhaps another reason for calling up players in September, especially by teams falling out of contention for a play off spot, would be to showcase them for possible winter trades. Bleacher Report suggests the following players close to being major league ready may be showcased for such a trade: Brian Flynn (SP) Miami, Johnny Monell (C) San Francisco, Chris Owings (SS) and Tyler Skaggs (SP) both from the Arizona system and Marcus Sieman (SS) Chicago White Sox.

MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Joe Torre is in favor of reducing the maximum number of September call-ups to 28 or 30.
(Photo credit – Don McPeak)

Players, especially those close to the MLB level may get call ups to help prepare them for that transition possibility in 2014. That is, to get the proverbial taste of baseball at its best, watching, listening, learning and indeed playing some at that level. Others players may get a call up simply as a reward for service rendered. Dodger fans will recall that John Lindsey was finally rewarded with a call up in September, 2010 although there was no possibility of him becoming a major leaguer.

As with any system there are drawbacks with the call up system and last November actual discussions about changing the call up rules were held. Not all teams call up an equal number of players and some are hesitant to do so at all. They have cited not wanting to disrupt minor league teams in their playoffs, and those decisions have led to big league games in which teams have differing numbers of available players. It can be argued that is by choice but others see it as a flaw in the system.

MLB Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Joe Torre has been outspoken about the present system which went unchanged after those discussions. “Each team should have equal numbers of players available every day,” Torre said. “I just think you play the whole season with one set of rules and the most important time of the year, especially for clubs that are in a pennant race, I just don’t think it’s fair for it to be done (with a) different number of roster people.” Torre said one possibility would be setting a fixed number of players who must be on the active roster for September games. “We’ve talked about 28. We’ve talked about 30,” he said. “It was talked about at length today.” Perhaps one impediment to any changes would be the Major league Baseball Players Association.

The system is in place and minor league player movement can start today. Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti said on Friday that he is looking at “Five, six, maybe seven” call ups. There can be little doubt that Chris Withrow will be recalled as will Scott Van Slyke and Dee Gordon – Van Slyke for the power bat off the bench and Gordon as a pinch runner and shortstop replacement.

Scott Van Slyke will bring a much-needed power bat to a Dodger bench that has none. He can also be used to give first baseman Adrian Gonzalez an occasional day off. (Photo credit – Stephen Dunn)

Since pitcher Miguel Sulbaran (19) was traded for light hitting catcher Drew Butera, the trade would make even less sense than it already has if Butera was not called up. One should also expect Stephen Fife to get a call and I would hope Matt Magill although I am not all that hopeful in Magill’s case. My guess is that lefty reliever Onelki Garcia will join the Dodgers to limit the workload of JP Howell and Paco Rodriguez. Either Shawn Tolleson or Josh Beckett can be transferred to the 60 day DL. The big surprise could be a look see for Zach Lee.