As the regular season winds down, Major League Baseball teams activate a two‑player roster expansion on September 1, swelling the active roster from 26 to 28 members. The move, which must involve players already on the 40‑man roster or newly added to it, is designed to give clubs extra flexibility while also offering fantasy baseball participants fresh options for the final stretch.
While the majority of September call‑ups struggle to make an immediate impact, a select few can become decisive factors in fantasy lineups. Managers who keep a close eye on playing time, batting order placement, pitching rotations and bullpen usage are best positioned to capitalize on short‑term surges.
Key September Call‑Ups
Among the most promising additions this month is Miami’s Graham Pauley, who has already seen action at third base. In his limited opportunities he launched a home run and drove in four runs, showcasing the power and run‑production potential that could make him a cornerstone of the strong‑side platoon at the hot corner. The Braves promoted right‑hander Blake Burkhalter and infielder Kyle Farmer, the Marlins added right‑hander Bradley Blalock and infielder Graham Pauley, the Mets brought up outfielder Nick Morabito and right‑hander Dylan Ross, the Nationals called up infielder Yohandy Morales and left‑hander Jared Simpson, and the Phillies saw right‑hander Grant Holman and catcher Rafael Marchán return from the injured list.
Fantasy managers should therefore monitor each newcomer’s role, especially how often they appear in the lineup and against favorable matchups, as the condensed September schedule can turn a modest contribution into a significant fantasy point boost.