Major League Baseball rosters expanded from 26 to 28 players today and with those extra spots on the active roster, the Philadelphia Phillies added two surprising names to the clubhouse: catcher Garrett Stubbs and left-handed reliever Tim Mayza. The most interesting thing about this news is who wasn't included in the team's September call-ups, namely Phillies No. 3 prospect Justin Crawford.
Fans have been clamoring to see Justin Crawford all season. Instead, they're getting a third catcher and a pitcher who wasn't even in the organization before Sunday. The Phillies announced the moves on Monday ahead of their Labor Day series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Prior to today’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Phillies recalled C Garrett Stubbs from Lehigh Valley (AAA). Additionally, LHP Tim Mayza reported to the club, expanding the roster to 28 players. Mayza will wear No. 54.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 1, 2025
Phillies top prospect Justin Crawford overlooked again as Phillies announce September call-ups
The Phillies have repeatedly said this season that they wouldn't hesitate to promote Crawford for his MLB debut. He's still just 21, and they want to make sure he gets regular playing time when he does eventually come to the majors.
Crawford is more than deserving of a promotion and a chance to get his feet wet in the big leagues after the season he has put together at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Hitting .336 with an .867 OPS in 109 games with the IronPigs, the former first-round pick has found his power stroke recently and now has seven home runs to go along with his 23 doubles, 85 runs scored, 47 RBIs and 45 stolen bases.
There's still a chance that he gets a call at some point over the final month of the season, however, it will likely take an injury to one of the current outfielders. Even then, the team might feel more comfortable recalling center fielder Johan Rojas.
Garrett Stubbs gives Phillies third catcher and September vibes after recall
Stubbs, 32, had been the Phillies' backup catcher to J.T. Realmuto for the last three seasons before being relegated to Triple-A to begin this year. With Rafael Marchán out of options, the team had no choice but to send Stubbs to Allentown and he's now getting his reward for being a team player.
On Sunday, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski explained the decision to bring Stubbs back.
"We thought Stubby would be a nice addition," Dombrowski said. "It really gives us the ability to have a third catcher. If [manager Rob Thomson] Topper wants to, on the days that Marchán catches, if he wants to get Realmuto off from catching he can still use him as a pinch hitter and insert Stubbsy at that point. … He's done a great job for us in Triple-A, not only on the field but in the clubhouse, so we thought it was a very well-deserved promotion."
Dave Dombrowski on why Garrett Stubbs will re-join the Phillies big league roster tomorrow:pic.twitter.com/A850Vl4MRh
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) August 31, 2025
Not known for his bat, Stubbs is more popular for his clubhouse presence as "Chief Vibes Officer." In 433 plate appearances over three seasons with the Phillies, Stubbs has a .222 batting average and .628 OPS with seven home runs, 39 RBIs and nine stolen bases. In 71 games with the IronPigs this season, Stubbs hit .265 with a .753 OPS, eight home runs, 50 RBIs and five steals.
Tim Mayza has opportunity to win postseason bullpen role after being added to roster
Allentown native Mayza, who the Phillies claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, has spent most of the 2025 season on the injured list after suffering a lat strain and a teres major injury in April. Before that, the 33-year-old lefty posted a 2.89 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with eight strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings for the Pirates.
Mayza attended Upper Perkiomen High School in Pennsburg, PA, and pitched college ball at Millersville University. His best MLB season came with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023, when he posted a 1.52 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 53 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings. He struggled mightily in the regular season last year, with a 6.33 ERA in 42 2/3 innings between the Blue Jays and New York Yankees.
While it's minimal, Mayza brings previous playoff experience with him. Pitching in the postseason with Toronto in 2022 and 2023 and the Yankees in last year's postseason, he has a 2.08 ERA in 4 1/3 innings. With left-hander José Alvarado ineligible for the postseason, the Phillies will give Mayza a chance to show what he can do in the bullpen with an eye on a possible playoff roster spot.