ST. LOUIS -- The calendar will soon flip to September, giving teams the freedom to expand their rosters for the final weeks of the regular season.
The Cardinals' class of September callups, however, likely won't be large. Players who may have been considered callup candidates -- like Sam Tuivailala, Alex Reyes and Luke Weaver -- have already arrived as injury reinforcements. In fact, most of the additions next month will be players coming off the disabled list.
But expect a few others. Relievers Dean Kiekhefer and Miguel Socolovich, both of whom have already been up this season, are likely to be added so that manager Mike Matheny has greater bullpen flexibility.
The club intends to carry a third catcher, as well, though it has some choices there. If the Cardinals are confident that Brayan Peña is healthy, he could fill that slot. If not, they haven't ruled out promoting Carson Kelly. Though not yet on the 40-man roster, Kelly will have to be added this fall in order to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft. The Cardinals could simply bump that timeframe up a few months to get him big league exposure earlier than expected.
Since joining Triple-A Memphis on July 14, Kelly has hit .299/.361/.381 in 28 games.
The other catcher who could garner consideration is Michael Ohlman. He is already on the 40-man roster.
With Matt Adams due to return soon and Aledmys Díaz expected to be healthy by mid-September, the Cardinals are unlikely to make many other position player promotions.
Worth noting
• In his third start since beginning a Minor League rehab assignment, Lance Lynn threw 48 pitches over three scoreless innings for Double-A Springfield on Wednesday. Lynn, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, scattered three hits and struck out three. Lynn has returned to St. Louis to continue his work and anticipates making two more rehab starts before shutting down for the offseason.
• Adams (right shoulder inflammation) was assigned to Triple-A Memphis on Thursday to start his rehab assignment.
• Capping a day in which he was officially named the next captain of the NHL's St. Louis Blues, Alex Pietrangelo delivered a ceremonial first pitch prior to Thursday's game.
• Fans attending the Cardinals' games on Thursday and Friday have an opportunity to see two original contracts signed by Jackie Robinson. The documents, which have an estimated value of $36 million, were brought to Busch Stadium as part of the Collectors Café Freedom Tour and will be on display along the first-base concourse behind section 135.