For baseball fans, September call-ups are supposed to spark some excitement – a chance to get a glimpse of the future, or at least add some firepower for the stretch run. That’s why seeing Ali Sánchez and Zack Kelly join the big league roster feels like such a letdown for Boston Red Sox fans.
With rosters expanding from 26 to 28 on Monday, the Red Sox announced that Sánchez and Kelly had been recalled from Triple-A Worcester. In addition, Marcelo Mayer – who had already been ruled out for the season after undergoing wrist surgery – has been transferred to the 60-day IL. Mayer's 40-man roster spot went to Sánchez, who had signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets just over a week ago but was then traded to the Red Sox for cash over the weekend.
Sánchez is a glove-first journeyman catcher who’s bounced around half the league and isn’t part of Boston’s future. Nobody’s racing to Fenway to watch him hit .210 and back up Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong. Kelly, meanwhile, is a familiar name who’s been up before but never really stuck – a middle reliever trying to find his footing after injuries.
Sánchez and Kelly are fine depth pieces. But they certainly don’t move the needle for a Red Sox team that has a tenuous hold on the second American League Wild Card spot heading into September.
The #RedSox today announced the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/nUmZZJlkYS
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 1, 2025
Red Sox couldn't have been more underwhelming with September roster expansion moves
Perhaps what stings the most for Red Sox fans is who wasn’t called up. Fans wanted to see Kristian Campbell, one of the system’s fastest risers, who’s shown the bat and athleticism to be a future face of the franchise. Or a young arm like 24-year-old Kyle Harrison, acquired from the San Francisco Giants in the Rafael Devers trade, who at least brings some buzz and upside when he takes the mound. At the very least, he would give fans a glimpse of the future.
Instead, the Red Sox's front office went the “safe” route. Sánchez and Kelly aren’t bad players, but they’re low-upside depth moves. That makes them feel disappointing when September usually carries the promise of impact or future-facing call-ups.
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