2 Reds players who could make surprise return when rosters expand in September and 1 who won't

The Cincinnati Reds will likely be in the thick of a pennant chase next month, but how the club fares over the next couple weeks will have great bearing on who receives a September call-up.

Roster for all 30 major league teams expand from 26 to 28 players. While there used to be an unlimited number of players occupying the dugout during the final month of the season, roster can only add two players this year.

Of course Reds fans would love to see Noelvi Marte and Connor Phillips receive a September call-up, but if the team is truly in the mix for a postseason spot, then Cincinnati may have other names in mind. Who are three players

Reds pitcher Justin Dunn could make a surprise return in September.

There's been a lot of focus on the impeding returns of both Tejay Antone and Vladimir Gutierrez, but there's been very little chatter about Justin Dunn. One of the players that Cincinnati received from Seattle after the Mariners landed Eugenio Suarez and Jesse Winker, Dunn has yet to take the field in 2023.

Dunn's major league career has been marred by injury. Even before he was dealt to the Reds last spring, Dunn had a lingering shoulder issue and was placed on the 60-day IL before the season even began.

A former first-round pick out of Boston College, Dunn started seven games for the Reds in 2022 before landing on the IL once again with a shoulder issue. That same injury (subscapularis muscle in his right rotator cuff) has bled over into the 2023 season.

According to MLB.com, Justin Dunn has already thrown a side session this year and is on track to begin a rehab assignment later this month. If all goes well, don't be shocked to see Dunn back on the field sometime in September.