Tigers fans should probably accept these 2 players getting call when rosters expand

The Detroit Tigers are in a position they haven’t enjoyed in a long time. Breathing room. With the Royals and the Guardians locked in a battle for a Wild Card spot, Detroit holds a steady grip on the AL Central. The division isn’t officially in the bag yet, but with Kansas City hovering around 10 games back, it feels like the Tigers are finally set to cruise into October.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done. As the calendar turns to September, the Tigers will enter one of the more intriguing checkpoints of the season: roster expansion. Active rosters grow from 26 to 28 players, giving clubs two extra spots to mix and match from their 40-man pool. For a contender like Detroit, those two call-ups aren’t just about depth, it’ll be about strategy.

September often doubles as an audition stage. Prospects, fringe big leaguers, and Quad-A grinders suddenly find themselves in front of the spotlight, trying to prove they deserve a role in 2026. For teams with playoff aspirations, it’s also a test run for October. Only players on the 40-man roster (or injured list) as of August 31 are postseason-eligible, meaning the Tigers’ choices now could shape not just the stretch run, but their October roster as well.

That sets the table for a couple of fascinating names who could step into meaningful roles down the stretch.

Here’s who the Tigers should turn to when September call-ups begin

RHP Dylan Smith

Dylan Smith’s first taste of the majors left quite an impression. In 13 innings over seven appearances, the 25-year-old righty allowed just two earned runs, good for a 1.38 ERA. His strikeout numbers didn’t fully translate from Triple-A (where he fanned 37 batters in 26 2/3 innings), but he showed poise and the ability to eat multiple innings; the exact traits every playoff bullpen covets.

Smith hasn’t pitched since July 6 after a shoulder strain put him on the shelf, but reports earlier this month suggested he could be ready for a September return. If healthy, his 93–96 mph fastball and sharp mid-80s sweeper give AJ Hinch a versatile weapon who can bridge the gap between starter and closer. For a Tigers bullpen that has been stretched thin at times, Smith’s return could be less about audition and more about reinforcement.

IF Jace Jung

If the beginning of the season had gone differently, Jace Jung might already be entrenched at third base. Instead, his first extended big-league look ended in frustration. Jung was demoted back in May after slashing just .111/.245/.111 in 18 games.

Since then, he’s been working his way back at Triple-A, and the results don’t jump off page, but they are encouraging. Jung has hit .232/.357/.419 with 13 homers and 49 RBI over 90 games, rediscovering some of the pop that made him a first-round pick. The strikeouts are still high, but the patience and power combo remains intact.

Third base has been a revolving door for Detroit this year, with Zach McKinstry, Andy Ibáñez, and even Colt Keith and Javier Báez sharing time. While serviceable, none offer the raw power that Jung brings. That makes him an intriguing September call-up, not just to see where he’s at, but to test whether his bat can add another dimension to the Tigers’ October lineup.

The Tigers don’t need September call-ups to rescue their season. They’ve already done the heavy lifting, building a cushion in the Central and putting themselves in position to end their postseason drought. But call-ups like Smith and Jung could potentially make a good team better.

For Smith, it’s a chance to prove he can be trusted in high-leverage innings. For Jung, it’s an opportunity to show that his bat belongs in a contending lineup. And for the Tigers, it’s one more step in a season where the margin for error has narrowed.

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