this 2015 game<\/a> where he used nine relievers in three innings). Teams can\u2019t do that anymore anyway with the three-batter minimum, but I still think a limit of 30 would be more useful. Of course, teams also save on travel and MLB salary expenses with the lower September roster limit. It\u2019s unfortunate for those long-time minor leaguers who might never get a chance to play in the big leagues, but here we are.<\/p>\nIn practical terms, that means that most September call-ups are either guys on the injured list who are re-activated, or players who have already been on minor-league shuttles.<\/p>\n
Teams can add just one pitcher and one position player, as there is a 14-pitcher limit in September.<\/p>\n
So who will the Cubs add?<\/p>\n
Javier Assad would be the most likely pitching addition to the roster, but having been just sent to Triple-A Iowa, he\u2019s not eligible to return until Sept. 7. I would assume Assad will be added at that point, but that means someone else would be added for a few days before that.<\/p>\n
One option the Cubs have is Eli Morgan, who has missed most of this year with a right elbow impingement. Morgan is currently on rehab assignment to South Bend. One of the advantages to activating Morgan, if the Cubs choose to do so, is that he has an option remaining. So he could simply return for a few days, then be optioned back to Triple-A Iowa (the I-Cubs regular season runs through Sept. 21) when Assad returns. Other relievers at Iowa who could return include Tom Cosgrove, Porter Hodge and Gavin Hollowell, though Hodge and Hollowell have been ineffective at Iowa. Cosgrove is left-handed and might be a fit for an expanded bullpen.<\/p>\n
Ryan Brasier and Michael Soroka are on the injured list. I do not expect either of them to throw another pitch for the Cubs.<\/p>\n
As far as a position player, I would think the Cubs would recall Mois\u00e9s Ballesteros, who\u2019s already had a couple of brief MLB stints, batting .222 (4-for-18) with a double and six RBI. The thing about Ballesteros is that he\u2019s really only a DH at this stage of his MLB career and the Cubs already have a bench player in Owen Caissie who can DH.<\/p>\n
The Cubs have only two other position players on the 40-man roster who are on option to Iowa: Kevin Alc\u00e1ntara and Ben Cowles. Alc\u00e1ntara had a brief MLB stint last year, going 1-for-10 in three games, but has just had an okay year at Iowa. The Cubs have never seemed much interested in promoting Cowles, who is 25 and who has hit just .234\/.299\/.379 in 108 games at Iowa this year. Cowles would seem a prime DFA candidate if (for example) Morgan is activated, because Morgan is now on the 60-day injured list and would need a 40-man spot.<\/p>\n
What would I do? For the pitching spot, I\u2019d promote Morgan, DFA Cowles and then bring Assad back when he\u2019s eligible, sending Morgan to Iowa. For the position player spot, Ballesteros seems the logical choice. While he\u2019s likely only a DH, he could catch in an emergency. It doesn\u2019t seem likely Miguel Amaya will make it back this year.<\/p>\n
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