Royals September Call-Ups: Which Players Are Options For Roster Expansion?

[Eli Nitz]

Image courtesy of Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The last two weeks of Royals baseball have been a lot of fun. The team has won 13 of 15 games since August 13. The starting lineup has been mostly restored to what was expected for Opening Day (Maikel Garcia notwithstanding). A starting pitching staff decimated by injuries has been really good of late. The MASH unit starting lineup has put together a solid if unspectacular five quality starts in 15 attempts. Although that number is actually 5 QS in 12 attempts, given Daniel Lynch IV is still getting stretched out as he acclimates from the bullpen to starting pitching.

The bullpen is currently doing a casting call for 2027, rotating through a bevy of candidates, but seems to be more steady in an addition-by-subtraction roster turnover. Lucas Erceg (6.63 ERA) never got things figured out and was sent to Triple-A Omaha on August 18. Matt Strahm and his 7.33 ERA were designated for assignment on August 4. Lately, the boys have been playing some ball. 

On September 1, the rosters expand from 26 to 28 players. A maximum of 14 pitchers are allowed. All players must be on the 40-man roster. Currently, the 40-man roster is full. That said, there is at least one spot that could be opened by adding Maikel Garcia to the 60-day IL, as it appears his hamstring injury may keep him out for the remainder of the season. (While writing this article, John Schreiber was released, and that opened up another 40-man roster spot. We are still waiting on the corresponding move.)

Let’s look at who may join the team for the nine-game homestand starting September 1.

Tony Gonsolin - RHP

The former Los Angeles Dodger signed with Kansas City on August 13 and was immediately placed on the 15-day IL. Gonsolin signed a prorated $1 million contract for 2026 with a club option of $2.5 million for 2027. He currently holds a 40-man roster spot and can be called up when his injured list designation ends. In one appearance, Gonsolin threw three innings on 40 pitches, giving up no hits and one walk while striking out three batters. The big question with Gonsolin: is one appearance, albeit a good one, enough progress that the Royals trust him in MLB games, or do they want to see him keep working in Omaha?  

Beck Way - RHP

Another member of the 15-day IL, Way was reinstated to Northwest Arkansas on August 18 and moved to Omaha on August 21. The hard-throwing right-handed rookie has had his ups and downs in 2026, but before the injury he seemed to be settling in. Way gives the Royals a power arm that the bullpen was clearly lacking to start the season. Way will definitely be a part of the 2027 bullpen, so getting him back to continue his development will be key to ending 2026 on a high note.

Carlos Duran - RHP

Is Carlos Duran Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? On August 18, we got to see Dr. Jekyll. Duran delivered 1 inning pitched with one hit, no runs, no walks, one strikeout, and picked up his first major league win.

Then on August 20, Mr. Hyde appeared. Duran gave us a line of .1IP, 1H, 2ER, 3BB, 0K.

Duran remains an interesting arm. Many Royals experts have compared Duran to when the Royals acquired Steven Cruz. There are definitely similarities: big frame, big arm, trouble with the strike zone. His minor league statistics for 2026 back that up. 

When deciding if Duran should come back to the Royals in September, it is a little like the argument for Gonsolin. Have the pitching coaches made enough progress in his delivery that the strike throwing improves, or does he need more work before coming back to Kansas City?

Lucas Braun - RHP

Braun was acquired with Carter Holton from Atlanta in the trade deadline deal for Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter.

Braun is Rule 5 draft eligible for the first time after the 2026 season concludes. I can’t imagine the Royals wanted Braun in a trade only to leave him unprotected and lose him this winter. It makes sense that if the Royals are going to have to add him to the 40-man roster this winter, they might as well add him to the roster now. In 2025, Braun threw 149 2/3 innings, and in 2026 he sits at 116 innings pitched. It makes sense that he will not be shut down and has room to throw more innings this season. If the Royals want to take some stress off of their starting pitchers or piggyback a long reliever with Daniel Lynch IV as they had with Mason Black over several starts, Braun could be the man for the job.

Michael Massey - 2B

This move isn’t sexy, but Massey has been having a bounce-back year in 2026. Massey landed on the 7-day IL on August 27 when making an off-balance throw to first that ended awkwardly with him falling on his back and head hitting the Rogers Center turf. Massey has been worth 2.3 WAR and played Gold Glove-level defense at second base. There is no reason that player profile shouldn’t be back as soon as they are healthy.

Carson Roccaforte - OF

On July 17, I wrote a blog post about Royals Rule 5 draft protection candidates. 

At that time, Roccaforte was striking out at 35.2% and also had a respectable 17 home runs. Since then, Roccaforte has been promoted to Omaha and has been on a power surge at the plate, raising his season total to 32 homers. In his last 30 games between Northwest Arkansas and Omaha, that strikeout percentage has dropped to 25.2%. Still high but manageable. He has also hit 17 home runs in that span, leaving the yard at an impressive 8.9% clip. All while playing Gold Glove-level defense.

So who should get promoted?

I think Michael Massey will be a straight replacement for Josh Rojas, and Rojas will be back in Omaha waiting for an injury call-up.

Michel Massey recalled to KC and Josh Rojas sent to Omaha.

On June 17, my thoughts were that Roccaforte struck out too much for a team to take a chance on him in the Rule 5 draft. Roccaforte has changed my mind. The Gold Glove defense was evident, and some teams may have taken a risk on using him as a late-inning defensive replacement. Now that the strikeout rate is down and his power is surging, I don’t believe the Royals can risk losing Roccaforte. Not when there is a shortage of good centerfield candidates league-wide, and Kyle Isbel is only under team control through 2027. 

Garcia to the 60-day IL and Roccaforte added to the 40-man roster and recalled to KC.

The two pitchers are very similar to the hitters for similar reasons.

Beck Way recalled to KC from the 7 Day IL.

Lucas Braun added to the 40-man roster and recalled to KC.

I believe Roccaforte and Brun could benefit from a taste of MLB action in September 2026, the same way it helped prepare Carter Jensen for the 20206 season with his September 2025 call-up.

Several players were covered. Is there someone you would like to see that wasn’t mentioned? Let us know in the comments so we can discuss.

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[Acpbulldogs]

Gavin Cross?

[Eli Nitz]

Cross would also need to be added to the 40 man roster like Roccaforte. I know Cross had a recent IL stint but is now back on the field. Cross had an incredible hot stretch hitting home runs in multiple consecutive games. I could see the Royals wanting to get a look at Cross in MLB action. I do not think Cross gets selected in the Rule 5 draft so that may be the edge Roccaforte holds over Cross for a September call up.

[Brock Beauchamp]

59 minutes ago, Eli Nitz said:

Cross would also need to be added to the 40 man roster like Roccaforte. I know Cross had a recent IL stint but is now back on the field. Cross had an incredible hot stretch hitting home runs in multiple consecutive games. I could see the Royals wanting to get a look at Cross in MLB action. I do not think Cross gets selected in the Rule 5 draft so that may be the edge Roccaforte holds over Cross for a September call up.

You think Cross would make it through the Rule 5? I'm not sure, he seems like the kind of position player I'd target if I ran a terrible team. Obviously, any position player is less enticing than a pitcher, but Cross still seems like an okay guy to take a chance on.

[Eli Nitz]

14 hours ago, Acpbulldogs said:

Gavin Cross?

Cross went unclaimed last year. He has definitely had a better year in 2026. It's just tough for a position player to make it a full season.