The Arizona Diamondbacks have expanded their roster by four players, adding infielders Tony Abreu and Brandon Allen and pitchers Carlos Rosa and Leo Rosales.
Since it is September 1, MLB teams are allowed to carry up to 40 players on the active roster. This move is usually reserved for rewarding a quality season in the minors with a "cup of coffee" in the majors.
Brandon Allen in particular is getting his grande frappuccino after a solid season at Triple-A Reno. Allen hit 25 home runs, drove in 86 runs and had an on-base percentage of .405 in 2010.
Allen had been playing left field lately for Reno, heavily implying that he will receive a fair shake this month for the big club. It also leads us to believe that Adam LaRoche will be back in 2011.
Allen was acquired from the Chicago White Sox in 2009 for bullpen arm Tony Pena.
Rosales was activated off the 60-day Disabled List, while Rosa and Abreu return to the majors from stints earlier this season.