{
  "id": 5134125,
  "title": "MLB Roster Expansions: What to expect from Lazaro Montes, Ethan Salas, more",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/mlb-roster-expansions-what-to-expect-from-lazaro-montes-ethan-salas",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T17:29:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mlb-roster-expansions-expect-lazaro-172952931.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Tuesday, Major League Baseball (MLB) expanded its rosters to accommodate the final month of the regular season. Each team was granted two roster additions, which provided an opportunity for several promising players to debut in the majors. Here are some of the notable players who made their MLB debut and what their potential contributions might be for the remainder of the season.\n\nLazaro Montes, an outfielder for the Seattle Mariners, made a significant impression in his MLB debut. He hit a solo home run, drove in an RBI single, and walked his way to a perfect game for the Mariners against the Boston Red Sox. Despite some contact concerns, Montes demonstrated his power at the plate with his 39th home run of the season. While his contact issues may need addressing, Montes' impressive performance suggests he could be a valuable addition to the Mariners' lineup during the final month of the season.\n\nEthan Salas, a catcher for the San Diego Padres, also made his MLB debut on Tuesday. Salas, who is the youngest player to enter an MLB game behind the plate since Pudge Rodriguez in 1990, displayed strong contact skills, hitting .296/.374/.448 with 10 homers and 17 steals in the minor leagues. His impressive skills at the plate, including a 5.4% swinging strike rate and a 95% zone contact rate, make him a potentially valuable asset for the Padres. Salas is expected to catch, DH, and serve as a bench bat, giving him the chance to earn more playing time if he continues to perform well.\n\nAt the Cardinals, 22-year-old prospect Leo Bernal made his MLB debut. Bernal, the seventh-ranked prospect in the Cardinals organization, showcased his hitting prowess with a .278/.363/.468 performance in 101 games at Triple-A. His impressive power numbers, including 16 home runs and a 9.6% barrel rate, could make him a useful bench bat or starting option for the Cardinals. Bernal's switch-hitting and consistently high hard-hit rate could give him the edge needed to secure a spot in the Cardinals' lineup over the final month of the season.\n\nFor the Washington Nationals, 24-year-old first baseman/Designated Hitter (1B/3B) Yohandy Morales made his MLB debut. Despite missing the majority of the season due to injury, Morales had a remarkable minor league season, hitting .286 with 25 homers and 76 RBI at Triple-A. His power numbers, along with a 13.2% barrel rate and 51% hard-hit rate, indicate that he could be a valuable contributor for the Nationals down the stretch. Morales' performance in his first two MLB games, including a home run against the Atlanta Braves, suggests that he could be a regular starter for the team.\n\nThe Colorado Rockies also expanded their roster on Tuesday, with left fielder/second baseman/shortstop Adael Amador making his MLB debut. While Amador, 21, struggled to adapt to the big leagues in the past, the Rockies' new regime seems to be reevaluating his potential. With a strong glove, strong arm, and above-average contact skills, Amador could be a valuable middle infielder for the Rockies. If the team believes in his ability to make consistent contact and work counts, Amador could see increased playing time down the stretch.\n\nLastly, the Toronto Blue Jays brought back 24-year-old left-hander Ricky Tiedemann from Triple-A to bolster their pitching staff. Despite missing most of the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, Tiedemann's fastball sits around 96-98 mph and has been complemented by a new, harder slider. While his previous outings have not been impressive, Tiedemann has the potential to make a difference for the Blue Jays this season. If he can refine his location and maintain good control, Tiedemann could become a reliever to watch over the final month of the MLB season.",
  "summary": "Eric Samulski breaks down the noteworthy baseball players who were called up this week",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "10 September call-ups to watch, from Ethan Salas and Lazaro Montes to Will Smith and Tommy Pham",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/10-september-call-ups-to-watch-from-ethan-salas-and-lazaro-montes-to",
        "published": "2026-09-02T19:40:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}