Dodgers look at expanding rosters by Saturday

Saturday comes that bizarre quirk to the major league season, where rosters can be expanded to include anyone active on the 40-man roster.

Play all season with 25 guys, and the final month comes for the stretch drive, and suddenly it’s a new game with expanded rosters.

Manager Don Mattingly said the Dodgers would call up Tim Federowicz as a third catcher, and likely will bring back reliever Javy Guerra. More would follow later, as minor league teams finish their seasons next week.

That’s operating under the assumption the Dodgers don’t trade for yet another player. For a player to be eligible to participate in the playoffs, he must be on a team’s roster before Friday’s 9 p.m. PDT deadline.

With the Dodgers uncertain over closer Kenley Jansen’s situation until Tuesday, if they are to add anyone, it would likely be a reliever.

“That’s what we’ve talked about,” Mattingly said. “It’s what’s right in front of us.”

Jansen, who is again battling with an irregular heartbeat, threw in a bullpen session Friday before the rest of the team took the field.

“You’re always trying to get better,” Mattingly said. “We don’t know what they’re going to tell us, what’s going to happen Tuesday. On Tuesday they could tell us Kenley is OK to pitch or he can no longer pitch [this season]. If something happens and we’re able to do it, great. If not, we’ll win with what we have.”

Mattingly said shortstop Dee Gordon, on a rehab assignment with triple-A Albuquerque after undergoing thumb surgery, is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list on Monday, but would likely remain with the Isotopes until their season ends. Albuquerque’s regular season ends Monday, but its season will continue in the playoffs should they remain in first place in the Pacific Coast League.

The Dodgers also have outfielders Tony Gwynn and Bobby Abreu down in Albuquerque. Both were waived and are no longer on the 40-man roster, but were told they could be promoted in September.

“We’re still talking about that,” Mattingly said. “There is definitely a possibility.”

The Dodgers would have to either remove players from the current roster, or place them on the 60-day DL, to make room for Gwynn and Abreu. Injuries could open a spot. Scott Elbert, Chad Billingsley and Jansen are all trying to determine if they can return this season.

RELATED:

Dodgers keep one streak going: Jaime Jarrin to return

Matt Kemp returns to the Dodgers’ lineup

Don Mattingly calls team meeting; now it’s up to the Dodgers