Ryan Brasier and Danny Santana expected to be activated Wednesday

It got lost in the shuffle a bit with the weirdness of the 2020 season, but prior to COVID the league and players had agreed to cut down on September roster expansions, now allowing for just two extra players rather than allowing anyone on the 40-man roster to be called up. And with today marking the first day of September, those two extra spots are added. The Red Sox are expected to call up two veterans coming back from injury to fill the openings.

Brasier has not pitched in the majors at all this season as he has been dealt a tough hand all year long. He struggled a bit in his rehab, though things had been starting to trend in the right direction in his last few outings. The righty has been with the team since they got to Tampa Bay. As we talked about on Tuesday, given all of the issues around the Red Sox right now they’re going to need Brasier in big spots right away.

As for Santana, just a week ago before the COVID outbreak started he looked like a guy who might not only not get called up on September 1, but may get designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man. Now, he’s a much-needed addition to a lineup who just needs bodies that can play the middle infield. Right now they are left with only Jonathan Araúz and Yairo Muñoz. That said, not much should be expected from Santana, who has a 46 wRC+ this season and has finished with a mark of 60 or below in six of the last seven seasons.

The Red Sox will have to make one more move before Wednesday’s game as well as Xander Bogaerts is going to have to be placed on the COVID list. Look for either Connor Wong or Franchy Cordero to get that call, or perhaps another pitcher.