Dodgers Reinforcements Coming Soon to Join the Fun

With September 1st coming to a close, that means the Dodgers will be able to get some reinforcements to arrive from Triple-A and the disabled list to help the major league team. The Dodgers will bring up players that they believe will be able to help the team with their chances of clinching the division title, which the team hasn’t won since 2009. Some of those players might even be lucky to secure a spot on the Postseason roster as well. Here are some players that I believe that will be brought up and join the fun:

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Stephen Fife

Fife will be the first player on the list that will brought up. Mainly, because the Dodgers need some extra arms in the rotation and give some of the starters more resting days as they prepare for the playoffs. There still might be concerns on Fife as he has been dealing with shoulder problems all year long. So that might bring up some red flags. Pitcher Matt Magill, another possibility, but could be passed over for a call up because in his previous stint, he struggled mightily.

Scott Van Slyke

Van Slyke, was just sent down to clear a roster spot for Brian Wilson on Monday, but Van Slyke will be brought up again to give depth to a thin bench. Van Slyke has been having a back and forth season between the Dodgers and triple-A, being called up four times and on September 1st, it will be his fifth time. Van Slyke will be needed for September to give some the  corner outfielders and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez some much needed rest.

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Justin Sellers

Sellers known for his glove, will be called up over shortstop Dee Gordon. Gordon still has potential to start at the major league level, but it is not yet ready. Sellers made the opening day roster over Gordon due to Hanley Ramirez being on the disabled list at the time and being the better defensive player than Gordon. Gordon is seen by the Dodgers management as player that needs regular playing time, not sitting on the bench. Sellers, despite having three other utility players in Nick Punto, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Skip Schumaker, will help Punto out at backing up shortstop, second base and third base. I can still see Gordon make the postseason roster as a pinch runner.

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Matt Kemp

Kemp makes this list because as much as Kemp coming off the disabled list before  September is not happening because one, Kemp is not ready yet, two, September is close, three, activating Kemp in September will not cost sending a player down to Triple-A. Kemp, has been struggling this season, being on the DL three times. I think Kemp will be the fourth outfielder due to the outfield recent success in outfielders Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier and Yasiel Puig. Kemp will get starts from time to time in September until he shows he is fully healthy. He will a big piece heading into October.

The Relievers Being Called Up

The forgotten man, relievers Shawn Tolleson and Jose Dominguez could get activated off the DL, and Peter Moylan and Javy Guerra could also get the call up as well. These four relievers would bring depth to the bullpen. It is important that the bullpen gets the needed rest get they can during September because the current bullpen will be key part in the playoffs. Going into the playoffs, tired, will do no good to the team.

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The Honorable Mentions 

Catcher Drew Butera, who will be called up will provide the catching depth to A.J. Ellis and Tim Federowicz. Utility player Elian Herrera could be called up as well, but its unlikely with Kemp coming off the DL and Sellers already being called up unless they use Herrera as a pinch runner, which is also unlikely. Outfielder/Infielder Alex Castellanos, the right handed version of Skip Schumaker, has the least chance of getting called up unless the Dodgers want to give him another shot at playing or even starting at second base to see what they can get from him heading into the future.