The Los Angeles Dodgers already have MLB’s deepest roster and it’s about to add even more talent into the fold.
Rosters are set to expand to 28 players, up from 26, on Thursday, Sept. 1, when the Dodgers conclude their series with the New York Mets. Teams will be permitted to carry 14 pitchers, an increase of one extra from the current 13-pitcher limit, which means the Dodgers will also have to add one bat to their roster.
While they have multiple left-handed options who could join the team in Edwin Ríos and James Outman, it appears the Dodgers will add a right-handed bat who is one of their top prospects to the roster.
Miguel Vargas was pulled from his start with Triple-A Oklahoma City and he is heading to New York to join the Dodgers taxi squad before he is recalled when rosters expand, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
Dodgers prospect Miguel Vargas was pulled from OKC's game tonight after drawing a second-inning walk.
Per sources, he's heading to New York to join the Dodgers on the taxi squad. Plan is for him to be activated once rosters expand on Sept. 1.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 31, 2022
The 22-year-old made his MLB debut on Aug. 3, while batting seventh as the designated hitter. Vargas hit an RBI double in his first at-bat to put L.A. up 1-0 and then stole third base on the next pitch.
Vargas, who is never lacking in confidence, explained after the game that he felt no one could stop him. The Dodgers’ No. 3 prospect went 2-for-8 in two games with the club.
With the OKC Dodgers, Vargas has hit .304/.402/.511 with 17 home runs, 82 RBI, 99 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 112 games.
Clayton Kershaw, Blake Treinen returning to Dodgers in September
Also on Sept. 1, the Dodgers will activate Clayton Kershaw to start against the Mets for the series finale. That makes it likely he will be the 28th player, and 14th pitcher, added to the roster.
The southpaw has posted a 2.64 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 0.98 WHIP, 26.2% strikeout rate and 4.5% walk rate over 15 starts but he has also dealt with multiple injuries.
On Sept. 2, the Dodgers are expected to reinstate Blake Treinen from the 60-day injured list, which will require them to remove a pitcher from the active roster. The right-hander has been on a rehab assignment at OKC since the middle of August.
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