Indians announce flurry of September callups

DETROIT -- The Indians will have more than a few extra bodies on the bench and in the bullpen for the rest of the season, once the rosters expand Sunday and they can bring up their September callups.

Manager Terry Francona said right-hander Preston Guilmet, left-hander Nick Hagadone, right-hander Blake Wood, infielder Jose Ramirez and catcher Kelly Shoppach will be promoted to the roster on Sunday.

Left-hander Clay Rapada will join the Tribe on Monday, while right-handers Josh Tomlin, Vinnie Pestano, C.C. Lee and Carlos Carrasco will be added on Tuesday.

"We're trying to keep an eye on Danny [Salazar]," Francona said. "[Corey] Kluber will be coming back, but he certainly will need to be stretched out. So maybe we can win games. Again, the games might be a little longer, because we'll have four lefties in the bullpen and we'll match up a little bit. If that's the way we need to win, that's the way we need to win."

While the Indians are trying to make their postseason push, they also hope being part of the big league club will give the younger players some experience to potentially help the team next season.

"C.C. Lee is a guy that I think we would hope next year would impact our bullpen," Francona said. "So if he can maybe get four, five, six appearances up here going into next year, that would be really beneficial to him."

Ramirez, who doesn't turn 21 until Sept. 17, will be the fourth youngest player in the Majors. While he can play all of the infield positions besides first base, he brings speed to the lineup with 38 stolen bases in 113 games this year at Double-A Akron. Ramirez is ranked as the 13th-best prospect in Cleveland's farm system.

"We have the guys to play, so he could fill a pretty nice spot on the bench and play occasionally, we'll see," Francona said. "But I think it would be good for him too. I don't think anybody in player development thought it was too much for him. Maybe it speeds up his development a little bit."