Tigers Figure To Make Limited Number Of September Call-Ups

Jim Leyland isn't a big fan of September roster expansion.

That doesn't mean he won't take advantage of it, however.

The Tigers have already announced two call-ups. Right-hander Jacob Turner will come up to pitch Thursday against Kansas City, and outfielder Andy Dirks will return, probably to get some at-bats that normally would go to the injured Brennan Boesch.

Catcher Omir Santos is a probable call-up, simply to give Detroit a plug-in should Leyland want to give Alex Avila another day off before Halloween.

Danny Worth likely will come up to give Leyland an extra infielder he can use defensively.

Beyond that, there probably won't be anybody else unless the organization wants an additional pitcher or two to bulk up the bullpen. The Tigers haven't said whether Turner will stay to get acclimated to life in the majors; he probably won't pitch much more, if any, although a long-relief appearance would be possible if they decide to keep him.

Leyland will use the newcomers, too, but sparingly, except in the case of Dirks.

He doesn't care for roster expansion because it changes the way teams play one another in September as opposed to how they compete from March through August.

Benches that once numbered four players in the AL suddenly go up to six or more. Managers can run pinch hitters up until they run out of space on their lineup cards.

Leyland doesn't care for the change in managerial style, which doesn't mean he won't employ his share of double switches.

The Tigers could have used some reinforcements Monday in a 9-5 loss to the Royals.

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