3 Cubs in danger of losing playing time when rosters expand in September

Rosters may not balloon like they used to back in the day, but the Chicago Cubs - along with the other 29 MLB teams - will get a pair of fresh bodies when the calendar turns to September. That could be especially important for the bullpen, but the bench could be another area that benefits from added depth.

The addition of two new bodies could lead to diminished playing time for guys currently on the 26-man roster, which, I suppose, can be good or bad news depending on how you view things. But for these three Cubs players, playing time could quickly get harder to come by once rosters expand.

3 Cubs in danger of losing playing time when rosters expand in September

Ryan Brasier

I was shocked veteran right-hander Ryan Brasier survived the returns of Javier Assad and Jameson Taillon last week, but here we are. Now relegated to the injured list with a groin injury announced after his latest rocking outing, the veteran feels like a very likely candidate to get pushed outside the circle of trust in September.

The organization's pitching depth at Triple-A isn't anything crazy, but it's far more likely Craig Counsell opts to carry someone like Porter Hodge or Jordan Wicks over Brasier, who has really struggled of late. Over the last 30 days, the right-hander has made nine appearances, struggling to a 12.91 ERA and 2.09 WHIP and opponents have batted .400 against him. That's not going to get the job done, nor will it help him hold onto a role in the bullpen.

Reese McGuire

There are a couple factors at play when it comes to McGuire, who has been a godsend since joining the team earlier this year when Miguel Amaya went on the IL with an oblique injury. Thankfully, the Cubs didn't drop McGuire when Amaya returned last week, because the latter suffered an ankle sprain in his first game back and McGuire immediately moved back up the depth chart.

But if Amaya can return from that ankle injury, McGuire could be the corresponding move. The Cubs could also look to utilize Moises Ballesteros' bat off the bench in September, giving them a third-string option behind the plate to slot in behind Carson Kelly and Amaya. He hasn't played his way into the equation of late, either, slashing just .207/.226/.310 since the All-Star break.

Ben Brown

With Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad both finally healthy and Cade Horton scheduled to make his next start after leaving his outing Monday due to a blister, the Cubs' rotation is in good shape right now, which has relegated Ben Brown to a swingman/long relief role. Even in that new role, Craig Counsell hasn't trusted the big right-hander, turning to him just three times in August.

During the Brewers' series, when the bullpen was taxed, Counsell didn't turn to Brown, one of the few arms capable of eating big chunks of innings at a time, which was a huge red flag in my mind. Similar to Brasier, I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Cubs swapped Brown for Wicks, hoping for more consistency from their long man - something Brown hasn't been able to deliver for any sustained stretch this year.