I have never been so glad that the Interwebz doesn’t have a space limit.

On Monday morning, I filed Diamonds in the Rough to cover the first weekend of September call-ups, a column which covered the debuts of 20 players.

By Wednesday morning, the new list of players who had been called up since then — what I call my “follow list” — was already at 28 players. 29, if you count (as I do) pitcher Jason Rice, who I hope to write up once the Columbus Clippers have finished their International League playoff run.

Rice has one of the more intriguing stories this week, despite the fact that he’s yet to make his debut. He went from being one of the anchors of the Pawtucket Red Sox bullpen right to the Oakland Athletics bullpen via a Sept. 1 trade for veteran Conor Jackson. He was up with the As for a week without making his debut, before being placed on waivers and scooped up by the Cleveland Indians, who dispatched him to help their Clippers in the playoffs. After sweeping the Durham Bulls in three games in the first round of International League action, they begin their best-of-five try for the title against Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. Needless to say, I am really hoping that when the IL playoffs are over, we’ll be seeing Rice back in another (different) big league uniform and taking the mound for his debut. He’s earned it.

But meanwhile, the list continued to grow. By the end of play on Sunday, I had 26 names ready to roll with nine (and counting) on hold for this coming week.

Here are the first several debuts for this batch. More to come a little later in the day so stay tuned!!! (BTW, as is probably obvious, these are written alphabetically so if the guy you’re waiting for is not here yet, that’s probably why!)

DYLAN AXELROD
RHP, Chicago White Sox
B/T: R/R H/W: 6-0/195 BORN: July 30, 1985
ACQUIRED: Signed as a minor league free agent August 2009
PROMOTED: Contract purchased from Triple-A Charlotte Sept. 5 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 7 in a 5-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins: The last of two pitchers, he allowed two hits in two shutout innings, walking one and striking out two.
NOTES: Originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 30th round of 2007 out of his hometown school. Cal-Irvine, he pitched for that system until being released in 2009 and saw some time with the independent Windy City club, where he caught the eye of the Chicago scouts with a 2.21 ERA in 61 innings. Signed by the Sox, he pitched a few games at Class A Kannapolis and Winston-Salem down the stretch that summer, with a 1.91 ERA for the Dash, and posted a 1.99 ERA back at Winston-Salem in 23 games in 2010. This past summer, his combined 9-3 record and 2.69 ERA between Double-A Birmingham and Charlotte, with 132 strikeouts versus 35 walks in 150 2/3 innings, earned him the nod and the debut. He is considered by BA to be the best “control artist” among the system’s pitchers.

JOE BENSON
OF, Minnesota Twins
B/T: R/R H/W: 6-1/205 BORN: March 5, 1988
ACQUIRED: Selected in the second round of 2006 out of high school in Illinois
PROMOTED: Recalled from Double-A New Britain Sept. 6 when rosters expanded
DEBUT: Sept. 6 in a 3-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox: The starting center fielder, he batted leadoff and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
NOTES: One of three players to debut in that game, with Parmelee and Hendricks, Benson has long been viewed as one of the best all-around athletes drafted by the Twins in recent years, though he’s developed a little more slowly than anticipated until 2010. After hitting 19 homers combined in his first four seasons, he blasted 27 in 2010 between Advanced A Fort Myers and New Britain, 23 of them at the latter. With the New Britain club this season he continued to put it together, hitting .285 with 16 homers, 67 RBI and 13 steals at the time of his debut.

COREY BROWN
OF, Washington Nationals
B/T: L/L H/W: 6-1/205 BORN: Nov. 26, 1985
ACQUIRED: Via trade from the Oakland Athletics with P Henry Rodriguez for OF Josh Willingham Dec. 16, 2010
PROMOTED: Recalled from Triple-A Syracuse Sept. 6 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 6 in a 7-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers: Pinch-hitting for P Yunesky Maya in the ninth inning, he flew out.
NOTES: Originally drafted by Oakland in the supplemental first round (59th overall) of 2007 out of Oklahoma State, he brought a .272 average over four seasons into 2011 but has not shown the pure power that had been expected when drafted. At Double-A Midland in 2010, he hit .320 with 10 homers and 49 RBI but batted just .193 in 41 games at Triple-A Sacramento when promoted late in the season. Though he did steal 21 bases in 2010, he swiped just four — being caught seven times — at Syracuse this season, batting .235 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI and 18 doubles. A hgih school football star who opted to focus on baseball when he got to college, the potential to keep developing his talents is very much there.

ADRON CHAMBERS
OF, St. Louis Cardinals
B/T: L/L H/W: 5-10/185 BORN: Oct. 8, 1986
ACQUIRED: Selected in the 38th round of 2007 out of Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College
PROMOTED: Recalled from Triple-A Memphis Sept. 6 when rosters expanded
DEBUT: Sept. 6 in an 8-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers: Pinch-ran for Lance Berkman.
NOTES: The speedy football player-turned-baseball player hit .277 with 10 homers, 44 RBI and 22 steals at Memphis this season, after hitting .282 at Double-A Springfield and .290 at Memphis last summer, combining for six homers, 35 RBI and 14 steals. He got the nod with the Cardinals on the basis of showing his speed at a tryout and slid into the middle rounds that spring. He’s still a baseball work in progress but what potential is there! Chambers caught my eye last fall when I got to see him play in the Arizona Fall League where he hit .377. But while I am not standing next to him right now with a measuring tape in my hand, I have to think that 5-foot-10 is a little generous. He’s kind of tiny. But as my longtime readers know, I root for tiny.

STEVE DELABAR
RHP, Seattle Mariners
B/T: R/R H/W: 6-5/220 BORN: July 17, 1983
ACQUIRED: Signed as a free agent in January 2011
PROMOTED: Contract purchased from Triple-A Tacoma Sept. 6 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 11. in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals: The last of four pitcers, he struck out the only two batters he faced, throwing 13 oitches, 11 for strikes.
NOTES: Shades of stories like Jim Morris (aka “The Rookie” whose life was made into a Disney movie) or, more recently, fellow former Seattle prospect Brodie Downs (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071107&content_id=2295502&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb) or even Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Scott Richmond (http://gotmilb.mlblogs.com/2009/03/09/a-little-canadian-flavor/), Delabar’s tale is one of inspiration and, should his career continue to progress, fights for the movie rights. Originally signed by the San Diego Padres after being drafted in the 29th round of 2003, he worked his way up through that organization before suffering a broken elbow, forcing him to retire. He had not pitched again professionally since 2008, and was working as a high school coach and substitute teacher. On a scout’s advice, the Mariners signed him to a minor league contract this spring and working out of the bullpens at Advanced A High Desert (4.38 ERA in seven games), Double-A San Antonio (2.05 in 23 games) and finally Tacoma (0.69 in 10 games), combining for a 2.25 ERA and 15 saves in 40 games, striking out 68 in 56 innings and limiting hitters to a .221 average, Delabar was THE biggest shocker callup in the 2011 season. Kudos to the Seattle scouting combine and to scout Brian Williams who did the initial heavy lifting. You can read more about it as written by Larry Larue for the Tacoma News Tribute: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners/2011/09/05/three-rainiers-are-now-officially-mariners/#comments.

MATT DOMINGUEZ
3B, Florida Marlins
B/T: R/R H/W: 6-1/205 BORN: Aug. 28, 1989
ACQUIRED: Selected in the first round (12th overall) of 2007 out of high school in California
PROMOTED: Contract purchased from Triple-A New Orleans Sept. 6 when rosters expanded
DEBUT: Sept. 6 in a 7-4 loss to the New York Mets in 12 innings: Batting for P Edward Mujica in the 12th inning, he was hit by a pitch.
NOTES: The Marlins’ top power-hitting prospect, Dominguez just missed making the club out of spring training because he couldn’t quite bring his plate discipline and average to where he needed it, and returned to the minors for more seasoning. After hitting .167 in four games at Advanced A Jupiter and .133 in four games at Double-A Jacksonville, he moved up to New Orleans where he hit .258 with 12 homers and 55 RBI. In 2010 he hit .252 with 14 homers and 81 RBI at Jacksonville. Injuries limited his time this season and the Marlins’ understandable reluctance to bring him up before his bat had caught up with his glove kept him in the minors until rosters expanded. The number one prospect in the system, his defense is already big league ready and many say he could be a Gold Glove winner in years to come. With a steady stream of veterans and journeymen filling in at third base along the way, the job should be his to claim this spring.

TIM FEDEROWICZ
C, Los Angeles Dodgers
B/T: R/R H/W: 5-10/215 BORN: Aug. 5, 1987
ACQUIRED: Via trade from the Boston Red Sox July 31 in the three-team trade with the Seattle Mariners which saw several players change addresses.
PROMOTED: Contract purchased from Triple-A Albuquerque Sept. 6 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 11 in an 8-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants: A late-game entry at catcher for Rod Barajas, he went 0-for-1 with a strikeout.
NOTES: Originally drafted by the Red Sox in the seventh round of 2008 out of North Carolina, he became the fifth Tarheel player to make it to the majors this season. After hitting .253 with four homers and 61 RBI at Advanced A Salem in 2010, he combined between Double-A Portland (with Boston) and Triple-A Albuquerque (promoted upon his trade to LA) to hit .287 with 14 homers and 69 RBI. Federowicz, pre-season, was named the Red Sox’ best defensive catcher but when it came down to it, the development of hard-hitting catching prospect Ryan Lavarnaway probably made him expendable in the deal and the Dodgers are happy to have him. He’s a quick learner, has smooth moves behind the plate and is a leadership type with smarts

THOMAS FIELD
SS, Colorado Rockies
B/T: R/R H/W: 5-9/180 BORN: Feb. 22, 1987
ACQUIRED: Selected in the 24th round of 2008 out of Texas State
PROMOTED: Contract purchased from Double-A Tulsa Sept. 11 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 11 in a 4-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds. The starting shortstop, he batted eighth and went 0-for-3 with a walk.
NOTES: Voted Baseball America’s Best Defensive infielder in the Rockies system before the season began, Fields is aptly named. an adept fielder who can play all middle/right side of the infield spots well, Field hit .271 with 17 home runs, 61 RBI and 22 doubles at Tulsa. In 2010 at Advanced A Modesto he hit .284 with 15 homers, 72 RBI and 16 steals.

PEDRO FLORIMON JR.
SS, Baltimore Orioles
B/T: B/R H/W: 6-2/180 BORN: Dec. 10, 1986
ACQUIRED: Signed as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic June 18, 2004
PROMOTED: Recalled from Double-A Bowie Sept. 6 when rosters expanded
DEBUT: Sept. 10 in a 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays: The starting shortstop, he batted ninth and went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and a sac bunt, committing one error.
NOTES: Despite a less than stellar first game, Florimon has been highly regarded as an up-and-coming prospect for the Orioles for eight years, since signing out of the Dominican Republic in his teens. His defensive acumen has been his strong point. Though he’s yet to play a game at the Triple-A level, his bat began to catch up to his glove this season as, after bringing a .235 average over seven years into the 2011 campaign, he hit .267 with eight homers, 60 RBI, 15 steals and 27 doubles for the Baysox this summer.

LIAM HENDRIKS
RHP, Minnesota Twins
B/T: R/R H/W: 6-1/190 BORN: Feb. 10, 1989
ACQUIRED: Signed as a free agent out of Australia Feb. 25, 2007
PROMOTED: Contract purchased from Triple-A RochesterSept. 6 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 6 in a 3-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox: The starting pitcher, he allowed three runs on four hits, walking three and fanning four.
NOTES: The former Australian Rules Football legacy brings to the mound an arsenal with a sinking fastball, slider, changeup, curve and cutter and has masterful control of his pitches. After missing all of 2008 and the first part of 2009 following back surgery, he returned to dominate in 2010 with a 1.32 ERA at Class A Beloit and a 1.93 ERA at Advanced A Fort Myers, combining for a ridiculous 105 strikeouts and 12 walks in 109 innings. This year, between Double-A New Britain and Rochester, he was 12-6 with a 3.36 ERA and 111 strikeouts versus 21 walks in 139 1/3 innings.

JARED HUGHES
RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
B/T: R/R H/W: 6-7/220 BORN: July 4, 1985
ACQUIRED: Selected in the fourth round of 2006 out of Cal-Long Beach State
PROMOTED: Contract purchased from Triple-A Indianapolis Sept. 6 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 7 in a 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros: The second of six pitchers, allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings.
NOTES: Hughes has shown he can work in both roles — starting and relief — after posting a 4.09 ERA in 13 games as a starter at Double-A Altoona before moving up to Indianapolis where he lowered his ERA to a 2.11 with 35 games in relief out of the bullpen. Between the two stops, he fanned 78 in 104 1/3 innings.

GEORGE KONTOS
RHP, New York Yankees
B/T: R/R H/W: 6-7/220 BORN: July 4 1985
ACQUIRED: Selected in the fifth round of 2006 out of Northwestern
PROMOTED: Contract purchased from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Sept. 6 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 10 in a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels: The last of three pitchers, he allowed one run — a homer by Torii Hunter — on two hits in 1 1/3 innings.
NOTES: Returned to the Yankees this spring after being selected in the major league portion of the Rule 5 Draft by the San Diego Padres, the Northwestern grad went 4-4 with a 2.62 ERA in 40 games, four of them starts, at Scranton, striking out 91 batters in 89 2/3 innings while walking 26 and limiting International League hitters to a .221 average. He moved up to Triple-A after spending all of part of the last three seasons at Double-A Trenton and smaller portions of the previous two summers in Scranton. AFter passing on him in 2009 due to his having had Tommy John surgery which limited him to 13 games that previous season between Tampa and Trenton before his season ended in July, the Padres took him in 2010 after he returned in June to pitch 45 innings between Tampa, Trenton and Scranton, fanning 38 batters among the three stops. Armed with a fastball and slider, he is a solid relief prospect for the Yankees and shares his academic pedigree with his manager, Joe Girardi, which can’t hurt.

ALEX LIDDI
3B, Seattle Mariners
B/T: R/R H/W: 6-4/230 BORN: Aug. 14, 1988 in San Remo, Italy
ACQUIRED: Signed as a free agent Sept. 9, 2005
PROMOTED: Recalled from Triple-A Tacoma Sept. 6 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 7 in a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels: The starting third baseman, he batted ninth and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout.
NOTES: The first Italian-born prospect to play in the big leagues in nearly half a century, the first-ever Italian born-and-raised major leaguer and the first Italian-born major league position player. The first product of MLB’s European Academy to make it to the bigs. Liddi broke a lot of barriers with his promotion but he was already breaking a lot of pitchers’ hearts for years before that. His “breakthrough” season came in 2009 when he hit .345, tops in the minors, with 23 homers, 104 RBI and 44 doubles at Advanced-A High Desert, and he showed it was no California League High Desert fluke in 2010 when he followed that campaign up by hitting .281 with 15 home runs, 92 RBI and 37 doubles at Double-A West Tenn. With Tacoma this season, he hit .259 with a career-high 30 homers and his second 104 RBI-season in three years, adding 32 doubles, though he did strike out a career-high170 times. He is a decent third baseman defensively but could see time at first base as well down the line.

JEFF LOCKE
LHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
B/T: L/L H/W: 6-1/205 BORN: Nov. 20, 1987
ACQUIRED: Via trade from the Atlanta Braves with OF Gorkys Hernandez and P Charlie Morton for OF Nate McClouth in June 2009
PROMOTED: Recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis Sept. 6 when rosters expanded
DEBUT: Sept. 10 in a 3-0 loss to the Florida Marlins: The starting pitcher, he took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings, walking four while fanning one.
NOTES: Originally drafted in the second round of 2006 by the Atlanta Braves out of high school in Conway, N.H., Locke posted a 7-8 record and 4.03 ERA at Double-A Altoona before moving up to Indianapolis where he was 1-2 with a 2.22 ERA in five starts, combining for an 8-10 record, 3.70 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 153 1/3 innings. In 2010, between Advanced A Bradenton and Altoona, he fanned 139 in 144 innings. Armed with a fastball in the low 90s, a curveball and a changeup, he could pan out as a reliever but for now remains a starter in the minors.

STEPHEN LOMBARDOZZI
2B, Washington Nationals
B/T: B/R H/W: 6-0/170 BORN: Sept. 20, 1988
ACQUIRED: Selected in the 19th round of 2008 out of junior college in Florida
PROMOTED: Contract purchased from Triple-A Syracuse Sept. 6 when rosters expanded.
DEBUT: Sept. 6 in a 7-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers: Pinch-hitting for P Henry Rodriguez in the eighth inning, he drew a walk.
NOTES: The son of former big league infielder Steve Lombardozzi, he combined between Double-A Harrisburg and Syracuse to hit .309 with eight homers, 52 RBI and 30 steals this season. He was coming off a strong 2010 during which he hit .293 at Advanced A Potomac with a “cup of coffee” at Harrisburg, hitting .293 with six homers, 49 RBI and 24 steals and capped off that summer by heading to the Arizona Fall League where he earned the coveted Dernell Stenson Award for sportsmanship, leadership and character. To read more about Lombardozzi and the award, check out this article from last November by my former colleague and longtime friend, Jonathan Mayo: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101120&content_id=16165744&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

Back later with the rest of the alphabet!!!