Usually a trial run for rookies, MLB's September roster expansions have instead become a portal for second chances.

Prominent prospects are now typically promoted before the final month, especially if they can help a contender. In years past, Alex Bregman, Gary Sanchez and Jameson Taillon might have debuted as September call-ups.

Now it looks like they should have arrived sooner.

The Chicago Cubs lost on Thursday, but they still became the first team to clinch a postseason berth when the San Francisco Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals.

Now, nothing can go wrong. They're the Cubs, after all.

The Chicago Cubs took a step toward ending their World Series drought Thursday night when they clinched the National League Central. The milestone came by virtue of the St.

Much like convenience-store lackey Dante Hicks in Kevin Smith's seminal 1994 film Clerks, the New York Yankees weren't even supposed to be here.

They sold their veteran assets at the August 1 trade deadline and fixed their gaze on the future. They surrendered.

The St. Louis Cardinals will receive a boost to their bullpen with Thursday's return of Trevor Rosenthal.

Continue for updates.

The 2016 MiLB regular season is over, and each league's respective postseason is already underway.

With that in mind, now seems like the perfect time for one final look at where all 30 MLB farm systems rank, as well as an updated look at each team's top 10 prospects.

The following factors helped determine the rankings of players and teams:

Among the reasons Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who notably doesn't play in the field, can be considered an MVP candidate is because the award doesn't really reward defensive prowess.

The award annually acknowledges players in each league who have had outstanding offensive seasons. Such a player can be mediocre defensively and still win the award—or, in the case of Ortiz, not play defense at all. Even with new statistical measures for defense, no player can be a defensive stalwart and an average hitter and receive consideration for MVP.

Second baseman Jose Altuve is the player who makes the Houston Astros offense go, but the team may be without its spark plug for a period of time after he had to leave Wednesday's game against the Texas Rangers with an oblique injury. 

Continue for updates.

Forget shoulders—the Toronto Blue Jays' season rests squarely on Josh Donaldson's right hip.

The New York Yankees reportedly added another bat to their roster for the stretch run Wednesday.

Citing sources, Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported the Bronx Bombers signed Billy Butler to a deal. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports confirmed the news.