Elephant Rumblings: Roster Expansion Time

Apr 4, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke (1) heads to the dugout before a baseball game against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Welcome to the final month of the se

What is the story about?

Welcome to the final month of the season everyone! It’s been a tough year but we’ll all miss baseball when it’s gone so soak it up for the next few weeks before the long winter arrives.

With the calendar flipping to September that means one thing: roster expansion. Unlike in years’ past where teams would essentially have all of their players on the 40-man roster crammed into the dugout, the roster expansion only allows for two extra players now. That’s not helpful for a rebuilding team that wants

to get a look at as many young players as possible, but nothing we can do.

The squad has yet to make any official announcements, but we got a big hint at who would be joining the roster today thanks to Martin Gallegos:

Neither player is a surprising pick. Clarke was the team’s center fielder on Opening Day and was seemingly a core piece before massive struggles in the batter’s box and then a couple injuries cost him the majority of the year. Tur is a well-regarded prospect in his own right and has already made his big league debut earlier this year. He’s likely ticketed for a middle relief role for now and he’ll get chances to stick, but if he struggles it may be a brief callup for Tur.

The more interesting addition is Clarke. The defensively gifted center fielder has seemingly lost his position with the team thanks to Henry Bolte’s emergence as a solid player. Bolte won’t ever be on the level that Clarke is with the glove, but he doesn’t have to be. He’s still a solid enough defender up the middle and he’s not nearly as much of a black hole as Clarke has been up to this point in his major league career. Bolte is the more well-rounded player and it’s not really close. Clarke was absolutely lost earlier in the year facing major league pitching, and the injury didn’t help his development in that regard.

On the bright side, he’s been hitting the ball well for the Aviators during his rehab, slashing .344/.462/.594 with a pair of home runs. Perhaps more encouraging though is the fact he’s drawn seven walks. Clarke doesn’t need to set the world on fire with his bat to be a productive player. The majority of his value as a big leaguer will always be with that special glove of his but if he can at least hold his own against big league pitching that’d be enough.

So what is the plan for the final month with Bolte and Clarke on the same roster? When they’re both in the lineup expect Clarke to be in center field while Bolte moves to a corner. If the A’s decide that a change of scenery is in both parties’ best interests this coming offseason, showing off Clarke’s amazing talents in center field for the final month would be a smart idea. How would you handle having these two on the same team for September?

First pitch is at 5:05 again. Until then, have a great day everyone!