MLB teams can expand their rosters up to 40 players as of yesterday. Most teams will use this as an opportunity to give young players a shot for next year. Many contenders will use this to bolster their bench and give players a few more days off.
Heres a list of those who have been call up so far (Rumored players are italicized):
Arizona Diamondbacks
Robby Hammock, Jailen Peguero
These guys are just roster filler. Hammock will see some pinch hit opportunites while Peguero will come out of the ‘pen.
Atlanta Braves
Brent Lillibridge, Corky Miller, Charlie Morton, James Parr, Jeff Ridgeway, Luis Valdez
Besides Miller and Ridgeway, these other guys will probably be up for a tryout. Morton has gotten a few start this year, so they are more familiar with him. Lillibridge may make Kelly Johnson expendable, if he’s ready. Miller will be used off the bench and to give McCann an extra day off here and there.
Baltimore Orioles
Jim Miller, Garrett Olson
Olson figures to be in the rotation next year, so he should be getting a few more starts.
Chicago Cubs
Koyie Hill, Micah Hoffpauir, Casey McGehee, Michael Wuertz
Hill had 4 fingers cut off and reattached in the off season – there was a little mishap with a saw. He’s worked hard to get feeling back in them and to make it back to the Cubs. McGehee has a shot to be a 4th outfielder in the future. Wuertz has been a useful bullpen piece in the past.
Chicago White Sox
Mike MacDougal, Jerry Owens, Paul Phillips
MacDougal had struggled in the majors this year, so the Sox are hoping for his KC form to be back. Owens was supposed to be the starting centerfielder at the beginning of the season, but there was no room; he still won’t get playing time.
Colorado Rockies
Edwin Bellorin, Steven Register
Just a couple of bullpen arms. Register may have a shot to make the team next year.
Detroit Tigers
Freddy Dolsi, Mike Hessman, Chris Lambert, Clay Rapada, Dusty Ryan
None of these guys have a real future with the team, just roster filler at this point.
Florida Marlins
Robert Andino, Eulogio De La Cruz, Dallas McPherson
McPherson had a great season in Triple A, but he’s hoping to stick with the big league club. De La Cruz will be a useful piece in the ‘pen next year. Andino’s hoping for his final shot with the Fish.
Houston Astros
Alberto Arias, Jack Cassel, Edwin Maysonet, Fernando Nieve, JR Towles
The Astros are hoping Towles has found his stroke in his latest Triple A stint; he’s their catcher of the future. The other guys are just fighting for playing time; Nieve could be a future piece.
Kansas City Royals
Ryan Shealy, Yasuhiko Yabuta
Shealy’s prospect status is just about gone, but he’ll be useful off the bench. Yabuta was expect to do more for KC, but couldn’t crack the team (or US hitters).
Los Angeles Angels
Kendry Morales
Morales will probably be given a shot at first next year if they don’t bring back Teixeira. He’ll be a pinch hitter this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Chin-lung Hu, James McDonald, Jason Repko, Eric Stults
Hu may see time at second with Kent hitting the DL, but his bat needs to be better than it is to stick. The other 3 are roster filler.
Milwaukee Brewers
Mark DiFelice, Tim Dillard, Joe Dillon, Tony Gwynn, Brad Nelson, Vinny Rottino, Mitch Stetter
Rottino may see some catching time, but these are just call up to fill out the roster.
Minnesota Twins
Phil Humber, Ryan Jorgensen, Bobby Korecky, Matt Macri, Jose Mijares, Jason Pridie
Humber and Pridie are the 2 to watch here; both came in off-season deals. Humber will probably pitch out of the bullpen, but could be in the rotation next year. Pridie could secure a 4th OF role next year.
New York Mets
Brandon Knight, Ramon Martinez, Gustavo Molina, Carlos Muniz, Argenis Reyes, Ricardo Rincon
Nothing of note in these call ups – they’ll go with the guys that have gotten them this far.
New York Yankees
Phil Coke, Chad Moeller
The notable addition is Joba coming off the DL.
Philadelphia Phillies
Mike Cervenak, Adam Eaton, Greg Golson, J.A. Happ, Lou Marson
Golson, Happ, and Marson are figured to be part of the future in Philly. They probably won’t see much time this year because of the penant race.
San Diego Padres
Matt Antonelli
Antonelli will be their second baseman next year, so they are just giving him the job now.
San Francisco Giants
Brad Hennessey, Steve Holm, Scott McClain
None of these guys will make an impact in the future.
Seattle Mariners
Justin Thomas, Luis Valbuena
Seattle is just giving a few guys a shot – neither have much of a future with the team.
St. Louis Cardinals
Brian Barden, Randy Flores, Kelvin Jimenez, Mark Johnson, Josh Kinney, Jason Motte, Brendan Ryan
Kinney was a major part of the ’06 WS team bullpen; so was Flores, but he’s in decline. Motte should have been called up a while a go. The former catcher has been closing for Triple A Memphis and has been striking out a ton of hitters. Barden played for Team USA, and could be a long term answer in the infield. Jimenez and Johnson just add depth.
Texas Rangers
German Duran, Taylor Teagarden, Bill White
Teagarden is one of the many good catchers that the Rangers have in their system – they may be showcasing him for the off-season (or seeing if he can handle MLB pitchers so they can deal someone else).
Washington Nationals
Roger Bernadina, Kory Casto, Mike Hinckley, Shairon Martis, Levale Speigner
All of these are auditions – no one has a secured job in Washington.
