ST. LOUIS -- The Reds chose to use the arrival of Sept. 1 to fortify a pitching staff tested by a difficult stretch of the schedule that includes two doubleheaders in two days, followed by a day game in a different city.

Pitchers Matt Bowman, Tyler Mahle, Wandy Peralta and Sal Romano were added to the roster from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday. Romano served as the 26th man in Saturday’s doubleheader, but had to be temporarily returned by rule. Mahle started Sunday’s first game, while Bowman and Peralta will provide depth in the bullpen after making contributions to the Reds earlier this season.

Infielder Alex Blandino was also recalled, bringing the total number of players with the team in St. Louis to 30.

“You have to take advantage of the expanded rosters in September, and this time of year it comes into play a lot,” said Reds manager David Bell. “It can help you win a game, and not only that, but it’s nice to be able to add these guys and be able to see them and get more familiar and comfortable with them and find opportunities for them to play.”

Bowman pitched in 156 games for the Cardinals between 2016 and 2018. Bell, the Cardinals’ bench coach in those first two seasons, developed experience and comfort with Bowman up close.

“He pitched in really important spots in big games for us [in St. Louis], so he’s a guy that I would not hesitate -- and haven’t -- to use in any situation,” Bell said.

The Reds expect to make further additions after Triple-A Louisville’s season ends Monday, and Bell said an announcement will be made at that time. He did confirm that infielder Jose Peraza, who was optioned Tuesday to make room for the return of Joey Votto from the injured list, would be rejoining the club.

“He’s been a big part of our team all year,” Bell said of Peraza. “Hopefully he got something out of these four or five days playing in Triple-A, but we’ll be anxious to get him back.”

As the Minor League season ends, here are four names from the Reds' farm system to become familiar with:

Arrival: CF Nick Senzel

The No. 1 prospect in the organization when he made his much-anticipated Major League debut May 3, Senzel has impressed his team with how he performs as a hitter. That included his willingness to overhaul his entire approach last month to create a more open stance while standing taller in the batter’s box. Defensively, the career infielder took on converting to a center fielder in Spring Training and learned the position quickly to be more than competent. Although a rookie, the 24-year-old Senzel doesn’t carry himself like one and has already commanded respect among teammates and management.

 Breakout: C Tyler Stephenson

MLB Pipeline ranks Stephenson, the 11th overall pick in the 2015 Draft, as Cincinnati’s No. 7 prospect. He has finally appeared to come into his own as a hitter and catcher after the Reds had to show maximum patience with the 23-year-old after he was selected out of high school. In addition to struggles at the plate, his first two full pro seasons included a concussion, a right wrist issue and a right thumb injury that shut him down in July 2017. But he was healthy in 2018 and he’s producing with his best overall offensive season in 2019 with Double-A Chattanooga. He will soon have the chance to impress some more this year in the Arizona Fall League.

 Something to prove: RHP Hunter Greene

The organization’s No. 1 prospect, and No. 50 overall, Greene lost all of the 2019 season because of Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. It was initially an UCL strain the 20-year-old suffered on July 26, 2018, with Class A Dayton, and was shut down. He and the club’s medical department first went the route of rehabilitation, but Greene suffered a tear while throwing during Spring Training and there was no choice but surgery. Greene was capable of throwing 102 mph before he was injured, and he will be looking to show his stuff again once cleared to pitch.

 Name to watch: LHP Nick Lodolo

The first pitcher taken in the 2019 Draft at No. 7 overall by the Reds, Lodolo did well during his limited professional starts this summer. In a combined eight starts with Rookie level Billings and Dayton, the 21-year-old former college pitcher posted a 2.45 ERA in 18 1/3 innings with zero walks and 30 strikeouts.