ATLANTA -- Touki Toussaint will be among the prospects provided a chance to help the Braves reach this year's postseason. But the highly-regarded prospect may not be among the immediate additions made when rosters expand with September's arrival.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said he expects four players to be added on Saturday and a handful of others by the time Triple-A Gwinnett's season concludes Monday. There is not a need to immediately add Toussaint, who will likely serve as Atlanta's sixth starter throughout the season's final month.
Right-handed reliever Shane Carle; Rene Rivera, who was recently acquired to serve as a third catcher; and infielder Ryan Flaherty, who stayed within Atlanta's organization after being designated for assignment last week, are expected to be among the first wave of additions. This group could also include Bryse Wilson, another highly-touted prospect who could be used as a reliever, and Lane Adams, who would be used primarily as a pinch-runner.
The Braves have not revealed who will be added when rosters expand from 25 to 40 players on Saturday. But Kyle Wright, the team's No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and Max Fried could join Toussaint as part of the secondary wave of additions. Taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Wright would likely be used as a reliever. He and Wilson have tuned up by making relief appearances for Gwinnett within the past week.
Brandon McCarthy has been sidelined with right knee tendinitis since the end of June, and he plans to retire at the end of this season. But the veteran starter, who is currently on the 60-man disabled list, hopes to be added to Atlanta's roster to serve as a multi-inning relief option down the stretch. The team will discuss his future after evaluating the two-inning appearance he was scheduled to make for Gwinnett on Friday night.
The Braves created a vacant spot on their 40-man roster when Peter Moylan was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on Friday with an aggravated right forearm strain. But they may need to add at least four players -- Flaherty, Adams, Wright and McCarthy.
Right-handed pitcher Wes Parsons and outfielder Michael Reed seem to be the most likely removals from Atlanta's 40-man roster. If four additions are needed, the Braves may need to make an interesting decision.