The Biggest MLB Roster Expansion Additions for the Playoff Push

Fans tend to roll their eyes when a major league team says something like: “Getting ‘Player X’ healthy is the equivalent of adding with a trade.” Most, but not all of the notable additions this roster expansion season fall into that column.

Aaron Judge OF — New York Yankees

“X factor” seems like a good way to describe how Judge returning would impact the Yankees season. Only with him producing are they likely to have a strong chance to win the World Series.

They haven’t added him yet, but Judge reportedly could return to the lineup and play right field sometime during the Yankees next homestand, which begins Tuesday night against the Rockies.

Judge fractured a rib on his right side in late April, and hasn’t played since May 31, the team’s 59th game of the season. He has been taking swings in batting practice but needs at least 1-2 sessions of live pitching (possibly via an injury rehab assignment) before he would be comfortable playing in a real game.

The Yankees enter Saturday owning the top AL Wild Card slot. They also trail the first-place Tampa Bay Rays by four games in the AL East with 21 games to go in the regular season. They’ve also recently activated infielder Ryan McMahon and claimed right-hander John Schreiber off waivers from the Kansas City Royals.

Luis Robert OF — Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles said they needed a right-handed hitter who could play the outfield, and Robert is definitely one of those.

Robert just turned 29, but he’s almost always struggled with injuries, and his lumbar spine disc herniation obviously affected his availability and effectiveness earlier this season.

He’s been performing well since the start of August (.256/.313/.523) with seven home runs in 27 games. He slugs better against lefties, though historically he can be used against both sides. He’s also effective on defense, posting metrics a little better than league average.

The O’s, who came into action Saturday three games behind (and three teams behind) in the AL Wild Card scrum amid a four-game losing streak, have Robert playing left field. They also recently activated outfielder Heston Kjerstad, a former top prospect and left-handed hitter.

The Mets still owed Robert about $5 million when they put him on waivers in late August, which includes a presumptive $2 million buyout of his $20 million player option for 2027.

Will Smith and Dalton Rushing C — Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers were busy around Sept. 1, also activating left-hander Justin Wrobleski from the injured list. But getting their catching in order for the rest of the season would be huge.

Smith hasn’t been himself all season due in large part to an inflamed disc in his neck, which cost him nearly three months on the injured list. It’s possible he won’t be able to produce like he could in 2025, but at least he’s out there.

Rushing will be limited to pinch-hitting duties for now because of a tear in the UCL of his right elbow.

JoJo Romero LHP — Milwaukee Brewers

Romero came over in a deadline trade with right-hander Dustin May from the St. Louis Cardinals, and gives Milwaukee another high-leverage lefty reliever alongside Aaron Ashby. Before being activated Sept. 1, he was sidelined because of an emergency appendectomy in mid-July.

Lazaro Montes OF — Seattle Mariners

A top 40-100 overall prospect depending on where you look, Montes started hot Tuesday with a home run in his career first game. On Thursday, he exited early with hip soreness after crashing into the fence. The Mariners came into action Saturday six games back in the AL Wild Card and four games back in the AL West, so Montes is most likely only interesting for the future. But these are still big games for a big prospect. Lazaro is the Spanish word for Lazarus, which bodes well for him bouncing back from this injury.