phantom ballplayer

File:Brian Jeroloman on September 1, 2011.jpg spent a month with the 2011 Toronto Blue Jays without appearing in a game.]]

A phantom ballplayer is either a baseball player who is incorrectly listed in source materials as playing in a Major League Baseball (MLB) game, often the result of typographical or clerical errors, or a player who spent time on an MLB active roster without ever appearing in an MLB contest during his career. Most of the first form of phantom players date from the 19th or early 20th century, with at least one showing up as late as World War II.

A modern-day phantom ballplayer is generally caused by the player being removed from the active roster by a subsequent action (such as being optioned to a minor league team) or the team reaching the end of their season, and the player not having later opportunity to play in a major league game. Many of these phantom players were September call-ups in backup roles.

Phantoms who never were

File:Pete Compton.jpg of the St. Louis Browns, now credited with the plate appearance of "Lou Proctor"]]

Edward L. Thayer supposedly played one game for the 1876 New York Mutuals; he was listed in The Official Encyclopedia of Baseball as having been born in Mechanic Falls, Maine.{{cite book |title=The Official Encyclopedia of Baseball |first1=Hy |last1=Turkin |author-link1=Hy Turkin |first2=S. C. |last2=Thompson |author-link2=S. C. Thompson |publisher=A. S. Barnes & Company |location=New York City |date=1956 |lccn=56-5560}}{{rp|333}} The player was actually George Fair, who adopted a pseudonym that, coincidentally, resembled the name of then-12-year-old Ernest Lawrence Thayer, who went on to become a poet and write "Casey at the Bat." (Some 19th and early 20th century players sometimes played under assumed names in an attempt to circumvent contractual obligations with another club.)
An outfielder named Turbot (no first name given) was listed in The Official Encyclopedia of Baseball as playing one game for the 1902 St. Louis Cardinals.{{rp|339}} In the 1971 anthology This Great Game, writer and humorist Roy Blount Jr. included him on his "all-time fish team" (as turbot is also the name of a fish) and bemoaned that Turbot had been dropped from the encyclopedia; "I don't know what happened to him, but we need him in the outfield."{{cite book |title=This Great Game |editor=Doris Townsend |publisher=Prentice-Hall |date=1971 |isbn=0139190767 |page=[https://archive.org/details/thisgreatgame00engl/page/242 242] |url=https://archive.org/details/thisgreatgame00engl/page/242 |url-access=registration }}
Lou Proctor was listed as playing one game for the 1912 St. Louis Browns, drawing a walk in his only plate appearance. He appeared in The Official Encyclopedia of Baseball as a pinch hitter named "L. Proctor".{{rp|284}} Research in the 1980s, however, revealed that the appearance belonged to the Browns' Pete Compton. According to legend, Proctor was a Western Union operator who inserted his name into the box score as a prank. However, whether Proctor existed—even as a prankish telegraph operator—is unknown.
A catcher named Deniens (no first name given) was listed in The Official Encyclopedia of Baseball as having played one game for the 1914 Chicago Chi-Feds of the Federal League.{{rp|125}} Later research showed that the game was caught by the Chi-Feds third-string catcher Clem Clemens — historians reading a handwritten scorecard of the game had incorrectly deciphered "Clemens" as "Deniens".

Real players who never played

Research by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) has identified over 400 players who appeared on major league rosters, but did not appear in a major league game, since 1884.{{cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qeErqx34AOGAjFhHEME0eoElLpff7afCFnb3SzJOefo/edit#gid=1130555751 |title=Near Major Leaguers |first=Bill |last=Hickman |website=SABR |via=Google Docs |date=October 8, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2018}} A number of examples are presented here.

=Pre-1950=

Pitcher Bill Stewart was with the 1919 Chicago White Sox,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20655557/kid_gleason_promises_chicago_fans_the/ |title=Kid Gleason Promises Chicago Fans the Pennant |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |page=12 |date=April 17, 1919 |access-date=June 3, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} having been signed in December 1918,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20655764/bill_stewart_to_join_white_sox/ |title=Bill Stewart to Join White Sox |newspaper=Fitchburg Daily Sentinel |location=Fitchburg, Massachusetts |page=6 |date=December 14, 1918 |access-date=June 3, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} but he suffered an arm injury falling down a flight of stairs while working as a census taker,{{cite web |url=https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/13729/wezen-ball-bill-stewart-mlb-umpire-nhl-referee-and-coach/ |title=Wezen-Ball: Bill Stewart, MLB Umpire & NHL Referee (and coach!) |first=Larry |last=Granillo |website=baseballprospectus.com |date=April 28, 2011 |accessdate=June 12, 2022}} and was sent to the minor leagues in May 1919.{{cite web |url=http://retrosheet.org/TSNUmpireCards/Stewart-William.jpg |title=Umpire Card for Bill Stewart |work=The Sporting News |via=Retrosheet |access-date=June 3, 2018}} It is unclear whether he was on the team's active roster. Stewart went on to be an umpire in the National League and an ice hockey referee in the NHL.
First baseman Jeff Jones of Harvard was briefly with the 1920 Philadelphia Athletics in early July, but did not play before being assigned to the minor leagues.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103655204/harvard-first-sacker-will-join-athletics/ |title=Harvard First Sacker Will Join Athletics |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |page=15 |date=June 28, 1920 |accessdate=June 12, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103655305/harvard-twirler-goes-to-hanover-in-trade/ |title=Harvard Twirler Goes to Hanover in Trade |newspaper=Harrisburg Telegraph |location=Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |page=13 |date=July 8, 1920 |accessdate=June 12, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}} He was recalled by the A's in late July, but again did not make a major-league appearance.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103656908/connie-mack-recalls-jones/ |title=Connie Mack Recalls Jones |newspaper=The Evening Sun |location=Hanover, Pennsylvania |page=3 |date=July 24, 1920 |accessdate=June 12, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103657019/untitled/ |title=(untitled) |newspaper=The Evening News |location=Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |page=11 |date=August 2, 1920 |accessdate=June 12, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}} As with several other players of this era, it is not established if Jones was on the A's active roster during the season.
Outfielder Lou Almada{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=almada001jos|title=Lou Almada Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} made the major league roster of the 1927 New York Giants out of spring training, but the Giants did not use him before they optioned him to the minor leagues.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91645245/giants-farm-almada/ |title=Giants 'Farm' Almada |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=May 18, 1927 |accessdate=January 2, 2022}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9541331/baseball-career-info/|title = Baseball career info|newspaper = Arizona Daily Star|date = April 24, 1968|page = 22}} In 1933, his brother Mel Almada became the first Mexican to play in the majors.
Minor league pitching legend Jake Levy{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=levy--001jac|title=Jake Levy Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was reported in at least one contemporary account to have signed with the 1927 New York Giants in mid-September,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20567914/may_fill_bill/ |title=May Fill Bill |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |agency=Central Press |page=12 |date=September 13, 1927 |access-date=June 1, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} without getting into a game. Peter and Joachim Horvitz' The Big Book of Jewish Baseball list Levy's stint on the Giants bench as having occurred in 1932.{{cite book |title=The Big Book of Jewish Baseball: An Illustrated Encyclopedia & Anecdotal History |first1=Peter S. |last1=Horvitz |first2=Joachim |last2=Horvitz |publisher=S.P.I. Books |date=2001 |isbn=1561719730 }} However, whether Levy spent any time at all on a Giants' active roster is a matter of dispute.
Al Olsen{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=olsen-001alb|title=Al Olsen Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} is an unusual example of a verifiable real-life person who did not play in the major leagues, but was included in official major league records for many years. Olsen, a career minor league pitcher, was credited as appearing in the first game of a doubleheader on May 16, 1943, as a pinch hitter (walking, and then stealing a base) for the Boston Red Sox against the Chicago White Sox. However, research by SABR in the 1980s showed that while Olsen had been with the 1943 Boston Red Sox during spring training, he was sent to San Diego of the Pacific Coast League before the 1943 season began.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20562729/brown_to_quit_baseball_after_boston/ |title=Brown to Quit Baseball After Boston Failure |newspaper=Harrisburg Telegraph |location=Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |agency=AP |page=18 |date=April 23, 1943 |access-date=May 31, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=olsen-001alb |title=Al Olsen Minor League Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=May 31, 2018}} Olsen pitched on May 15 for San Diego, and given wartime travel restrictions, could not have arrived in Chicago for the game the following day. Olsen himself said, "It wasn't me. I was a left-handed pitcher. I couldn't hit my hat. Besides, I never played a game in the major leagues."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/31/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-ghost-who-batted-for-boston.html |title=Sports of the Times; The Ghost Who Batted For Boston|work=The New York Times |date=January 31, 1990 |access-date=October 5, 2011 |first=Ira |last=Berkow}} The pinch hitting appearance probably, but not definitely, belongs to Leon Culberson; it also could have been Johnny Lazor, who wore uniform number 14, the same number Olsen wore in spring training. Official records now credit Culberson with the walk and stolen base{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1943/B05161CHA1943.htm |title=Chicago White Sox 4, Boston Red Sox 2 (1) |website=Retrosheet |date=May 16, 1943 |access-date=May 31, 2018}}—though Culberson himself swore he did not play in what would have been his major league debut game (he was the starting center fielder in the second game of the doubleheader, thus his debut date is not in question).{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1943/B05162CHA1943.htm |title=Boston Red Sox 4, Chicago White Sox 2 (2) |website=Retrosheet |date=May 16, 1943 |access-date=May 31, 2018}}

=1950s=

File:Bill Sharman.jpg, who was briefly on the roster of the 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers]]

Outfielder Bill Sharman spent time on the roster of the 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers when he was called up in mid-September;{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20589230/brooklyn_recalls_bill_sharman_lembo/ |title=Brooklyn Recalls Bill Sharman, Lembo |newspaper=Elmira Advertiser |location=Elmira, New York |agency=AP |page=8 |date=September 19, 1951 |access-date=June 1, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} he did not appear in a game. Sharman is often cited as the only player to be ejected from an MLB game without playing in one, when umpire Frank Dascoli cleared the entire Dodgers bench for arguing with a call at home plate on September 27, 1951.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20589551/this_caused_rhubarb/ |title=This Caused Rhubarb |newspaper=Brooklyn Daily Eagle |page=18 |date=September 28, 1951 |access-date=June 1, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} However, Sharman was not ejected; those who had to leave the bench were still eligible to be brought into the game. Sharman is far more notable as a professional basketball player and coach than as a baseball player; he is one of the few individuals to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
Bruce Swango was a high school pitcher signed by Paul Richards for the Baltimore Orioles for $36,000 in 1955. He was required to be placed on the Orioles' 25-player active roster because of the bonus rule at the time. He never appeared in an MLB game during his two months with the ballclub before being released.[https://vault.si.com/vault/1971/04/12/best-damn-team-in-baseball Deford, Frank. "Best Damn Team in Baseball," Sports Illustrated, April 12, 1971.] Retrieved May 13, 2023.[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/richards-influence-on-baseball-philosophy-still-resonates-today Wood, Phil. "Richards' influence on baseball philosophy still resonates today," Washington Examiner, Saturday, September 12, 2009.] Retrieved May 13, 2023. He spent the remainder of his professional baseball career in the minors.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=swango001joh Bruce Swango – Baseball Reference.] Retrieved May 13, 2023.

=1960s=

The 1964 New York Yankees named middle infielder Chet Trail their "designated player" for the season under baseball's pre-draft era bonus rule, which allowed him to be assigned to a minor league club while still counting against (and being considered part of) the team's 25-man active roster.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21401964/series_lineups/ |title=Series Lineups |newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |location=Tucson, Arizona |page=37 |date=October 7, 1964 |access-date=June 29, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} Additionally, Commissioner of Baseball Ford Frick ruled that Trail was eligible for the Yankees' 1964 World Series roster.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21604413/frick_announces_series_eligibles/ |title=Frick Announces Series Eligibles |agency=AP |newspaper=The Morning Call |location=Allentown, Pennsylvania |page=39 |date=September 25, 1964 |access-date=July 6, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} However, Trail never played in an MLB game. Trail is the only player to have appeared on a World Series eligibility list without ever appearing in a major league game.
Infielder Ike Futch{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=futch-001ike|title=Ike Futch Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was added to the active roster of the 1966 Houston Astros, after Joe Morgan suffered a broken kneecap on June 25—however, Futch himself sustained a knee injury in a Triple-A game on June 26, which ended his season.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20728428/sports_column/ |title=Sports (column) |newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post |page=17 |date=June 27, 1966 |access-date=June 6, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}
Pitcher Maurice "Moe" Ogier{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ogier-001mau|title=Maurice Ogier Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was on the Opening Day roster for the 1968 Minnesota Twins, but he did not get into a game and was optioned to the Twins' farm team in Charlotte in late April to make room for Jim Kaat,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20590311/twins_reactivate_kaat_send_ogier_to/ |title=Twins Reactivate Kaat; Send Ogier To Farm System |newspaper=Anderson Herald |location=Anderson, Indiana |agency=UPI |page=15 |date=May 2, 1968 |access-date=June 1, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} who had injured his elbow in his final start of the 1967 season and was coming off the disabled list. Ogier had an ailing shoulder, which may have been the reason he did not get into a game.

=1970s=

Catcher-outfielder Lee Robinson{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=robins001lee|title=Lee Robinson Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} did not appear in an MLB game, despite spending nearly two months on the roster of the 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers. He was recalled from the Triple-A Albuquerque Dukes on May 11 to replace pitcher Greg Shanahan,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20947410/dukes_la_swap_men/ |title=Dukes, LA swap men |agency=UPI |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |page=D-2 |date=May 12, 1974 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} and was returned to Albuquerque on July 3 when the Dodgers called up Rick Rhoden.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20562780/rick_rhoden_answers_call/ |title=Rick Rhoden Answers Call |newspaper=Albuquerque Journal |location=Albuquerque, New Mexico |page=E-8 |date=July 4, 1974 |access-date=March 16, 2017 |via=newspapers.com}} Robinson was later voted $2,000 in World Series money by his teammates.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20947589/dukes_collect_some_world_series_cash/ |title=Dukes Collect Some World Series Cash |newspaper=Albuquerque Journal |location=Albuquerque, New Mexico |page=D-11 |date=November 21, 1974 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}
First baseman Ed Kurpiel{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=kurpie001edw|title=Ed Kurpiel Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was a September call-up for the 1974 St. Louis Cardinals, but did not appear in a game.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20728873/cards_recall_trio_from_tulsa_team/ |title=Cards Recall Trio from Tulsa Team |newspaper=The Southern Illinoisan |location=Carbondale, Illinois |page=16 |date=September 12, 1974 |access-date=June 6, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}
Pitcher Davis May{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=may---005dav|title=Davis May Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was called up from Tacoma by the 1977 Minnesota Twins, along with fellow pitcher Jeff Holly, on April 25 to replace Mike Pazik and Don Carrithers,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20946879/transactions/ |title=Transactions |newspaper=The Town Talk |location=Alexandria, Louisiana |page=B-3 |date=April 26, 1977 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} who had been seriously injured in a car accident early that morning. Holly pitched for the Twins, but May was sent back to Tacoma on May 16 to make room for Glenn Adams, who was returning from the disabled list. May was not used (or even asked to warm up) by Twins manager Gene Mauch during the time he was on the active roster.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20947172/moves_mean_wasted_year_for_pitcher_may/ |title=Moves mean 'wasted year' for pitcher May |first=M. Howard |last=Gelfand |newspaper=Minneapolis Tribune |page=1D |date=May 19, 1977 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}
In September 1977, no fewer than three ballplayers who never played in a major league game served a couple of weeks' time on major league rosters, all of them pitchers: Tom McGough{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mcgoug001tho|title=Tom McGough Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} of the Cleveland Indians, Pat Cristelli{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=criste001pat|title=Pat Cristelli Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} of the California Angels, and Ed Ricks{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ricks-001edw|title=Ed Ricks Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} of the New York Yankees. (Scott McGough, the son of Tom McGough, pitched in six games for the 2015 Miami Marlins, and then made it back to the majors with the 2023 Arizona Diamondbacks.)
Catcher Harry Saferight{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=saferi001har|title=Harry Saferight Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was a September call-up for the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, but failed to appear in a game. He was the on-deck batter on three different occasions, but each time, the batter ahead of him made the final out of the inning.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20729113/pirates_call_up_8/ |title=Pirates call up 8 |newspaper=The Morning Call |location=Allentown, Pennsylvania |page=4 |date=September 1, 1979 |access-date=June 6, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} Fellow call-up Gary Hargis narrowly avoided phantom status by making a single MLB appearance, and is listed as an honorable mention.

=1980s=

The 1983 Kansas City Royals briefly called up two catchers to back up regular backstop John Wathan; Duane Dewey{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dewey-001dua|title=Duane Dewey Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was on the roster from May 16 to June 1, while Russ Stephans{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=stepha001rus|title=Russ Stephans Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} spent time on the roster from June 29 to July 5; neither made an MLB appearance.
Pitcher Mark Leonette{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=leonet001mar|title=Mark Leonette Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was called up by the 1987 Chicago Cubs on July 2,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20947847/transactions/ |title=Transactions |newspaper=The Pantagraph |location=Bloomington, Illinois |page=B2 |date=July 3, 1987 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} and was sent down on July 6 without making an appearance in a game.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20947923/sanderson_back/ |title=Sanderson back |newspaper=Journal Gazette |location=Mattoon, Illinois |page=B-1 |date=July 7, 1987 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} He wore number 32 while with the club.
Infielder Bill Merrifield{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=merrif001bil|title=Bill Merrifield Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} spent two days on the roster of the 1987 Pittsburgh Pirates in September, but did not appear in a game before being sent to the Florida Instructional League.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20593721/merrifield_assigned_to_instructional/ |title=Merrifield assigned to instructional camp |newspaper=Rocky Mount Telegram |location=Rocky Mount, North Carolina |page=9 |date=September 12, 1987 |access-date=June 1, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} His son Whit Merrifield made his major league debut with the 2016 Kansas City Royals.{{cite news|last1=Dodd|first1=Rustin|title=Royals' Whit Merrifield is taking his family along on big-league journey|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article81885862.html|access-date=September 2, 2017|publisher=Kansas City Star|date=June 4, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Perrotto|first1=John|title=Rumors and Rumblings – Merrifield fulfills father's dream|url=https://www.fanragsports.com/mlb/rumors-rumblings-merrifield-fulfills-fathers-dream/|access-date=September 2, 2017|publisher=Fanrag|date=September 1, 2017}}
Pitcher Joe Law{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=law---001jos|title=Joe Law Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} spent four days on the active roster of the 1988 Oakland Athletics without making an appearance. He was first called up on July 4, and deactivated after the first game of a doubleheader on July 5.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20948033/frequent_flier/ |title=Frequent flier |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |page=2-D |date=July 12, 1988 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} He subsequently was called up on August 8,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20948131/transactions/ |title=Transactions |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=34 |date=August 9, 1988 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} and sent back down on August 10.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20948154/transactions/ |title=Transactions |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=58 |date=August 11, 1988 |access-date=June 14, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} His son Derek Law made his major-league debut with the 2016 San Francisco Giants.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/derek-law-follows-moves-beyond-dad-s-career-c195876682 |title=Law follows, eclipses father's baseball career |first=Walter |last=Villa |website=MLB.com |date=August 16, 2016 |accessdate=August 7, 2022}}

=1990s=

Infielder Armando Moreno{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=moreno001arm|title=Armando Moreno Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was added to the 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates roster on August 3,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21563490/transactions/ |title=Transactions |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |page=D-4 |date=August 4, 1990 |access-date=July 4, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} and sent back to Triple-A two days later,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21563539/transactions/ |title=Transactions |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |page=B-4 |date=August 6, 1990 |access-date=July 4, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} without appearing in a game.
Outfielder-first baseman Terrel Hansen{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hansen002ter|title=Terrel Hansen Minor, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was on the active roster for the 1992 New York Mets for two games, April 30 and May 1,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21563925/flashes/ |title=Flashes |newspaper=New York Daily News |page=36 |date=May 2, 1992 |access-date=July 4, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} without making an appearance.
Outfielder Bruce Dostal{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=dostal001bru|title=Bruce Dostal Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} spent four games on active roster of the 1994 Baltimore Orioles; he was called up on June 10,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21565902/transactions/ |title=Transactions |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |pages=3–7 |date=June 11, 1994 |access-date=July 4, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} then designated for assignment on June 14.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21565940/notes/ |title=Notes |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |pages=4–7 |date=June 15, 1994 |access-date=July 4, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} On two occasions, manager Johnny Oates told Dostal he would pinch run if designated hitter Harold Baines reached base; both times, Baines was retired.{{cite web |url=https://thechurchofbaseball.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/dark-side-of-the-moonlight/ |title=Dark Side of the Moonlight |website=The Church of Baseball |date=June 21, 2010 |access-date=July 4, 2018}}
Infielder Joel Chimelis was called up by the 1995 San Francisco Giants on June 4 to replace injured third baseman Matt Williams, who had broken a bone in his foot. Chimelis had been a replacement player during spring training that year, and Giants players grumbled about the idea of welcoming a strikebreaker on the team. After a threat of player revolt, the Giants sent him back to the minor leagues two days later, without Chimelis having appeared in a major league game.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21566587/chimelis_leaves_giants_as_a_pariah/ |title=Chimelis leaves Giants as a pariah |first=Michael |last=Martinez |agency=Knight Ridder |newspaper=The Times |location=Shreveport, Louisiana |page=3C |date=June 7, 1995 |access-date=July 4, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} He was not called up to the major leagues again.
Pitcher Jesus Martínez,{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=martin006jes|title=Jesus Martinez Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} the younger brother of Pedro and Ramón, was added to the active roster of the 1996 Los Angeles Dodgers on September 2,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21567204/transactions/ |title=Transactions |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |page=6C |date=September 3, 1996 |access-date=July 4, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} but did not appear in a game.{{cite web|url=https://www.truebluela.com/2016/12/29/13774152/forgotten-dodgers-major-leaguers|title=Remembering the Dodgers who didn't play|work=SB Nation|first=Eric|last=Stephen|date=December 29, 2016|access-date=June 3, 2018}}

=2000s=

Outfielder Luke Wilcox{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=wilcox001chr|title=Luke Wilcox Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was briefly called up by the 2000 New York Yankees, July 13–16,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21402343/st_johns_native_gets_call_up_to_yankees/ |title=St. Johns native gets call up to Yankees |first=Geoff |last=Kimmerly |newspaper=Lansing State Journal |location=Lansing, Michigan |page=C1 |date=July 15, 2000 |access-date=June 29, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21402450/yankees_recall_bellinger_send_wilcox/ |title=Yankees recall Bellinger, send Wilcox to Columbus |newspaper=The Post-Star |location=Glens Falls, New York |page=C5 |date=July 17, 2000 |access-date=June 29, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} but did not appear in a game. He wore number 50 with the Yankees.
Catcher César King{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=king--001ces|title=Cesar King Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} spent five days on the 2001 Kansas City Royals active roster, May 19–23,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21402624/game_notes/ |title=Game Notes |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |page=D9 |date=May 20, 2001 |access-date=June 29, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21402675/transactions/ |title=Transactions |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |page=D7 |date=May 24, 2001 |access-date=June 29, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} without making an appearance.
Pitcher Jeff Urban{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=urban-001jef|title=Jeff Urban Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was on the 2003 San Francisco Giants active roster on April 26–30 and again on August 1–2. He did not make an appearance during either stint.
Catcher David Parrish,{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=parris001dav|title=Dave Parrish Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} son of Tiger great Lance Parrish, was called up by the 2004 New York Yankees for three days without making an appearance, after regular catcher Jorge Posada was hit in the face with a ball during a game. Parrish wore number 57 during his short stint as a Yankee.
Pitcher Cory Morris{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=morris002cor|title=Cory Morris Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was on the active roster of the 2006 Baltimore Orioles on April 9–12, without making an appearance.
Catcher Tim Gradoville{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=gradov001tim|title=Tim Gradoville Minor Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was on the 2006 Philadelphia Phillies active roster for 18 days in September without making an appearance.
Pitcher Tim Lahey was on the active roster of the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies for the first six days of the season without making an appearance. Lahey spent his entire six-year minor league career pitching for the Minnesota Twins organization. However, in a five-month period from December 2007 to April 2008, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the Rule 5 draft, sold by the Rays to the Chicago Cubs, released by the Cubs, signed by the Phillies (where he was briefly on their active roster), and then returned to the Twins under conditions of the Rule 5 draft. Lahey managed to do all this without throwing a regular season pitch for anyone other than Minnesota farm teams.
Pitcher Luis Muñoz{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=munoz-003lui|title=Luis Munoz Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} spent two games on the active roster of the 2008 Pittsburgh Pirates in July without making an appearance. His fate was probably sealed before he arrived, with Pirates general manager Neal Huntington saying of his call-up to the majors: "I would not anticipate Luis being here for an extended period of time. It was a step short of desperation."[http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/breaking/pirates-promote-munoz-cleveland-claims-bullington-401714/ "Pirates promote Munoz; Cleveland claims Bulllington."] www.post-gazette.com, July 10, 2008. Retrieved 2013-01-07. Two days after his arrival, Munoz was removed from the Pirates roster and designated for assignment. He was eventually sent to the farm system of the Seattle Mariners.

=2010s=

Pitcher Tom Cochran{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cochra001tho|title=Tom Cochran Minor, Independent & Winter Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was on the active roster of the 2011 Cincinnati Reds between May 29 and 31, before being optioned back down to Triple–A Louisville.{{cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-25693786 |title=Major League Spinners |website=Minor League Baseball |publisher=Lowell Spinners |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720095823/http://www.milb.com/content/page.jsp?ymd=20111017&content_id=25693786&sid=t558&vkey=roster |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |url-status=live |via=Wayback Machine}}
Catcher José Yépez{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=yepez-001jos|title=Jose Yepez Minor, Independent & Winter Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was called up by the 2011 Seattle Mariners on June 29,{{cite web |url=http://m.mariners.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2011/06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705063030/http://m.mariners.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2011/06 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |title=Mariners Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=June 2011 |access-date=June 1, 2018}} then designated for assignment on July 7,{{cite web |url=http://m.mariners.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2011/07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705063228/http://m.mariners.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2011/07 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |title=Mariners Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=July 2011 |access-date=June 1, 2018}} without making an appearance in a game. He wore number 35 while with the Mariners.
Catcher Brian Jeroloman was on the active roster of the 2011 Toronto Blue Jays for the final 37 days of the season without playing in a game.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/indians-brian-jeroloman-out-to-shed-phantom-ballplayer-label/c-42975580 |title=Jeroloman out to shed 'phantom ballplayer' label |first=Jordan |last=Bastian |website=MLB.com |date=March 19, 2013}}
Pitcher Jason Rice{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rice--001jas|title=Jason Rice Minor, Winter & Fall Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was on the active roster of the 2011 Oakland Athletics beginning on September 1, after being acquired from the Boston Red Sox organization.{{cite web |url=http://m.athletics.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2011/09 |title=Athletics Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=September 2011 |access-date=June 1, 2018}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} However, he was claimed off of waivers by Cleveland on September 6 and was assigned to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers without making a major league appearance.
Pitcher Michael Antonini was on the active roster of the 2012 Los Angeles Dodgers twice during the season, April 24–27{{cite web |url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2012/04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706022204/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2012/04 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |title=Dodgers Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=April 2012 |access-date=June 1, 2018}} and May 28–29,{{cite web |url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2012/05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706021955/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2012/05 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |title=Dodgers Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=May 2012 |access-date=June 1, 2018}} but did not appear in a game either time.
Pitcher Frank De Los Santos{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=deloss002fra|title=Frank De Los Santos Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was on the active roster of the 2014 Chicago White Sox on May 3–4,{{cite web |url=http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2014/05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706022204/http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2014/05 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 6, 2018 |title=White Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=May 2014 |access-date=June 1, 2018}} without making an appearance.
Pitcher Tim Berry{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=berry-001tim|title=Tim Berry Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was promoted to the 2014 Baltimore Orioles active roster on June 6, but was sent down the next day{{cite web |url=http://m.orioles.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2014/06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217035643/http://m.orioles.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2014/06 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |title=Orioles Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=June 2014 |access-date=December 16, 2019}} without having appeared in a game.
Pitcher Caleb Clay was promoted to the major leagues by the Los Angeles Angels on August 10, 2014.{{Cite web|title=LOCAL SPORTS: Caleb Clay cracks Angels' roster, earns 1st MLB callup|url=https://www.cullmantimes.com/sports/local-sports-caleb-clay-cracks-angels-roster-earns-1st-mlb-callup/article_57b92db4-20c5-11e4-977d-0019bb2963f4.amp.html|access-date=August 6, 2024|website=cullmantimes.com|date=August 10, 2014 |language=en}} He went unused out of the bullpen and was optioned to Triple–A on August 12.{{Cite web|title=LOCAL SPORTS: Clay optioned back to Salt Lake 2 days after 1st MLB callup|url=https://www.cullmantimes.com/sports/local-baseball-clay-optioned-back-to-salt-lake-2-days-after-1st-mlb-callup/article_e31b0a4e-2282-11e4-ae66-0019bb2963f4.html|access-date=August 6, 2024|website=cullmantimes.com|date=August 12, 2014 |language=en}} He was later removed from the 40–man roster and stepped away from baseball following the 2015 season.{{Cite web|title=Caleb Clay clears outright waivers|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/caleb-clay-clears-outright-waivers/amp/|access-date=August 6, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=LOCAL SPORTS: Cullman products Clay, Mallard settling into lives away from baseball|url=https://www.cullmantimes.com/sports/local-sports-cullman-products-clay-mallard-settling-into-lives-away-from-baseball/article_9764229e-e1a2-11e5-8e32-2b68e5792db1.amp.html|access-date=August 6, 2024|website=cullmantimes.com|date=March 3, 2016 |language=en}}
Outfielder Taylor Dugas was on the 2015 New York Yankees active roster on July 1–3,{{cite web |url=http://m.yankees.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2015/07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906191717/http://m.yankees.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2015/07 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |title=Yankees Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=July 2015 |access-date=June 1, 2018}} without making an appearance.
Relief pitcher Chris Jones{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=jones-010chr|title=Chris Jones Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} was called up by the 2016 Los Angeles Angels on May 30,{{cite web |url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705063015/http://m.angels.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/05 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |title=Angels Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=May 2016 |access-date=July 4, 2018}} and demoted two days later,{{cite web |url=http://m.angels.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705092448/http://m.angels.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/06 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |title=Angels Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=June 2016 |access-date=July 4, 2018}} without appearing.

File:Shawn Zarraga 2016 (9).jpg was briefly on the active roster of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016.]]

Outfielder Ronnier Mustelier was promoted to the major leagues by the 2016 Atlanta Braves on July 3, and demoted the next day,{{cite web |url=http://m.braves.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804220029/http://m.braves.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/07 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 4, 2016 |title=Braves Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=July 2016 |access-date=July 4, 2018}} without playing. He was on the Braves' roster due to MLB allowing both teams in the Fort Bragg Game to have a 26th player active.{{cite news |url=https://www.myajc.com/sports/baseball/braves-marlins-get-extra-body-for-sunday-night-game/iW4NBoLBWQUZ24Dt1c9pkL/ |title=Braves, Marlins get extra body for Sunday night game |first=Steve |last=Hummer |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=July 3, 2016 |access-date=July 4, 2018}}
Catcher Shawn Zarraga was on the active roster of the 2016 Los Angeles Dodgers on August 25–26,{{cite web |url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727070043/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/08 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 27, 2016 |title=Dodgers Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |date=August 2016 |access-date=June 1, 2018}} but did not appear.
Pitcher Ryan Bollinger† was promoted to the major leagues twice by the 2018 New York Yankees, once on May 23,{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ryan-bollinger-took-long-way-to-get-to-yankees/c-277963676|title=Germany, Australia ... now Yanks for Bollinger: Wide-traveling left-hander joins club vs. Rangers at Globe Life Park|first=Bryan|last=Hoch|work=MLB.com|date=May 23, 2018|access-date=May 23, 2018}} but was demoted the next day{{cite web|url=http://www.trentonian.com/sports/20180529/ryan-bollinger-still-relishing-unexpected-call-to-yankees|title=Ryan Bollinger still relishing unexpected call to Yankees|work=The Trentonian|first=Kyle|last=Franko|date=May 29, 2018|access-date=June 3, 2018}} without appearing in the majors, and again on July 31, but he was again optioned down the next day without playing.
Pitcher Clayton Blackburn was called up to the major leagues twice, once in 2016 with the San Francisco Giants and another time in 2017 with the Texas Rangers, without getting into a game.{{cite web|author=Mark Polishuk|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 7/18/19|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/minor-mlb-transactions-71819.html|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=July 18, 2019|access-date=July 18, 2019}} Blackburn, who officially retired from baseball in 2019, is the only known phantom to have been on the active roster of more than one major league team without ever getting into a game.
Outfielder Eliezer Álvarez was promoted to the major leagues by the 2018 Texas Rangers on May 7,{{cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2018/05/07/rangers |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |access-date=October 12, 2022}} and demoted the next day.{{cite web |title=Transactions |url=https://www.mlb.com/transactions/2018/05/08/rangers |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |access-date=October 12, 2022}}
Pitcher Bo Takahashi† was promoted to the major leagues by the 2019 Arizona Diamondbacks on August 18, 2019, but was optioned down on August 20 without appearing in a game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/bo-takahashi-649963|title=Bo Takahashi Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} Takahashi was removed from the Diamondbacks 40-man roster on October 27, 2020. He went on to play in the KBO League and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

=2020s=

Infielder Jeison Guzmán was added to the major league roster by the Kansas City Royals on August 11, 2020, and was optioned on August 14, without appearing in a game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jeison-guzman-665834|title=Jeison Guzmán Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} He remained in the Royals organization during 2021, then in played in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization during 2022 until being released mid-season.{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/player/jeison-guzman-665834?season=2021&team=565 |title=Jeison Guzmán Stats, Fantasy & News |website=Minor League Baseball |access-date=August 7, 2022}} Guzmán retired from baseball on May 22, 2024.{{Cite web|title=Transactions|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=33927|access-date=May 21, 2024|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}}
Pitcher Trey Supak† was added to the major league roster by the Milwaukee Brewers on August 31, 2020, but was optioned down the next day without appearing in a game. He was removed from the Brewers’ 40-man roster on September 14.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/trey-supak-657022|title=Trey Supak Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}}
Pitcher Jasseel De La Cruz† was promoted to the major leagues by the Atlanta Braves on September 15, 2020, but was optioned down the next day without appearing in a game. On May 8, 2021, De La Cruz was recalled to the majors, but was again optioned down on May 10 without making an appearance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/jasseel-de-la-cruz-665600|title=Jasseel De La Cruz Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}}
Pitcher Steven Fuentes† was promoted to the major leagues by the Washington Nationals on April 20, 2021, but was optioned down on April 30 without appearing in a game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/steven-fuentes-651002|title=Steven Fuentes Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} On October 13, Fuentes was outrighted off of the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/nationals-outright-three-players.html|title=Nationals Outright Three Players|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=October 13, 2021 |accessdate=November 25, 2021}}
Outfielder Corey Bird was promoted to the major leagues by the Miami Marlins on July 28, 2021, but was designated for assignment on July 30 without appearing in a game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsaz.com/2021/07/31/corey-bird-dfad-hours-before-playing-yankees/|title=Corey Bird "DFA'D" hours before playing Yankees|first=Jim|last=Treacy|website=Wsaz.com|date=July 31, 2021 |accessdate=November 25, 2021}} After temporarily retiring after the 2021 season, Bird signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in June 2022 but later retired once again.{{cite web | url=https://www.coalvalleynews.com/sports/dirty-birds-sign-former-marshall-star-corey-bird/article_271e7bed-d0c6-5d3d-ade0-1814b3390ee7.html | title=Dirty Birds sign former Marshall star Corey Bird | date=June 22, 2022 }}
Catcher Gianpaul González was promoted to the major leagues by the Cleveland Indians on August 31, 2021, but was optioned down on September 2 without appearing in a game.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/gianpaul-gonzalez-657595?stats=career-r-hitting-minors&year=2021|title=Gianpaul Gonzalez|website=MLB.com}} González was later designated for assignment and removed from the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/indians-activate-aaron-civale-from-injured-list.html|title=Indians Activate Aaron Civale From Injured List|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=September 7, 2021 |accessdate=November 25, 2021}}
Pitcher Miguel Romero† was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on September 8, 2021, by the Oakland Athletics,{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-miguel-romero-recalled-by-oakland/|title=Athletics' Miguel Romero: Recalled by Oakland|website=CBSSports.com|date=September 8, 2021 |accessdate=November 25, 2021}} but was optioned down on September 21 without appearing in a game.
Pitcher Jeff Singer was selected to the major league roster by the Philadelphia Phillies on April 12, 2022,{{cite web|author=Steve Adams|title=Phillies Designate Phillies Select Jeff Singer|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/04/phillies-select-jeff-singer-corey-knebel-covid-injured-list.html|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=April 13, 2022|access-date=April 14, 2022}} but was designated for assignment on April 13 without appearing in a game.{{cite web|author=Steve Adams|title=Phillies Designate Jeff Singer For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/04/phillies-designate-jeff-singer-for-assignment.html|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=April 14, 2022|access-date=April 14, 2022}} Singer announced his retirement on November 6, 2023.
Outfielder Donovan Casey{{dagger}} was promoted to the major league roster by the Washington Nationals on April 15, 2022,{{Cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-donovan-casey-officially-recalled-by-nationals/ | title=Nationals' Donovan Casey: Officially recalled by Nationals | date=April 15, 2022 }} but was optioned down to Triple-A on April 20 without appearing in a game for the big league club.{{Cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-donovan-casey-sent-down-wednesday/ | title=Nationals' Donovan Casey: Sent down Wednesday | date=April 20, 2022 }}
Catcher Ronaldo Hernández{{dagger}} was promoted to the major league roster by the Boston Red Sox on April 19, 2022,{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/could-boston-red-sox-e2-80-99s-future-at-catcher-be-on-display-in-next-few-days-with-connor-wong-ronaldo-hern-c3-a1ndez-in-majors/ar-AAWnHMn |title=Could Boston Red Sox's future at catcher be on display in next few days with Connor Wong, Ronaldo Hernández in majors? |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |via=MSN.com |date=April 19, 2022 |accessdate=April 19, 2022}} then returned to Triple-A the following day without appearing in a game.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/christian-v-c3-a1zquez-activated-by-boston-red-sox-after-one-day-on-covid-list-ronaldo-hern-c3-a1ndez-sent-back-to-woosox/ar-AAWqvoz |title=Christian Vázquez activated by Boston Red Sox after one day on COVID list; Ronaldo Hernández sent back to WooSox |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |via=MSN.com |date=April 20, 2022 |accessdate=April 19, 2022}} He was also recalled by the Red Sox for their game of August 1, but again did not appear, and was optioned back to Triple-A the next day.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2022/08 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |publisher=Boston Red Sox |website=MLB.com |date=August 2022 |accessdate=August 2, 2022}}
Catcher Alex Hall{{dagger}} was summoned from High-A to the major league roster by the Milwaukee Brewers on June 2, 2022, in an emergency situation as primary catcher Omar Narváez tested positive for COVID-19 two hours before the Brewers' game against the San Diego Padres. Hall was called up because he played for the closest minor league affiliate to the Brewers, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.{{cite news |url= https://www.mlb.com/news/alex-hall-high-a-catcher-from-australia-suddenly-a-brewer |title= For High-A catcher Alex Hall, a g'day |first=Adam |last=McCalvy |website=MLB.com |date=June 2, 2022 |accessdate=June 3, 2022}} He was designated for assignment the next day.{{cite news |url= https://mobile.twitter.com/Brewers/status/1532822464656560128 |title=Tweet |website=Twitter.com |date=June 3, 2022 |accessdate=June 3, 2022}}
Infielder Will Toffey was promoted to the major league roster by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 13, 2022,{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/phillies/will-toffey-bubby-rossman-phillies-callups-toronto | title=Phillies add 2 new players for final game in Toronto | date=July 13, 2022 }} but was designated for assignment, cleared waivers, and was returned to Triple-A the next day without appearing in a game.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/07/phillies-activate-connor-brogdon-jojo-romero.html | title=Phillies Activate Brogdon, Romero; Toffey Outrighted | date=July 15, 2022 }}
Pitcher Carlos Espinal{{dagger}} was selected to the major league roster by the New York Yankees on August 1, 2022, but did not make an appearance before being sent down to the minors the following day. He was removed from the 40-man roster on August 8.{{cite web|title=Yankees' Carlos Espinal: Outrighted to minors|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yankees-carlos-espinal-outrighted-to-minors/|access-date=May 13, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 8, 2022 |language=en}}
Pitcher Parker Bugg{{dagger}} was promoted to the major league roster by the Miami Marlins on August 14, 2022,{{cite web|url=https://wgno.com/sports/parker-bugg-receives-mlb-call-up-to-the-miami-marlins/|first=Aileen|last=Hnatiuk|title=Parker Bugg receives MLB call-up to the Miami Marlins|website=WGNO.com|date=August 14, 2022 }} but was designated for assignment two days later without appearing in a game.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/marlins-parker-bugg-dropped-from-40-man-roster/|title=Marlins' Parker Bugg: Dropped from 40-man roster|website=CBSSports.com|date=August 16, 2022 }} Bugg was outrighted Triple-A and elected free agency following the season.
Pitcher Connor Grey{{dagger}} was promoted to the major league roster by the New York Mets on August 22, 2022, but was optioned back to Triple-A five days later without appearing in a game. He was designated for assignment on September 1, 2022, and outrighted to Triple-A three days later.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/09/mets-designate-connor-grey-for-assignment.html | title=Mets designate Connor Grey for assignment | date=September 2022 }}
Pitcher Chris Muller{{dagger}} was promoted to the major leagues by the Tampa Bay Rays on May 12, 2023, but went unused out of the bullpen before he was optioned back to Triple–A Durham on May 15.{{cite web|title=Rays' Chris Muller: Sent back to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/rays-chris-muller-sent-back-to-triple-a/|access-date=May 17, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=May 15, 2023 |language=en}} He was released by the Rays on May 29.{{Cite web|title=Chris Muller: In search of new organization|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/chris-muller-in-search-of-new-organization/amp/|access-date=May 29, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}
Pitcher Norwith Gudiño{{dagger}} was promoted to the major leagues by the Boston Red Sox on July 22, 2023, as the 27th man for the team's doubleheader. He went unused out of the bullpen and was returned to Triple–A the next day.{{Cite web|title=Norwith Gudiño Stats, Fantasy & News|url=https://www.milb.com/player/norwith-gudino-660508|access-date=July 25, 2023|website=Minor League Baseball|language=en}} He was removed from the roster on July 25,{{Cite web|title=Red Sox Reinstate John Schreiber|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/07/red-sox-reinstate-john-schreiber.html|access-date=July 25, 2023|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 25, 2023 |language=en}} and released on July 31.{{Cite web|title=Norwith Gudiño: Released by Boston|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/norwith-gudino-released-by-boston/|access-date=August 1, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 2023 |language=en}}
Pitcher Josh Simpson† was promoted to the major leagues by the Miami Marlins on September 12, 2023. He went unused out of the bullpen and was optioned to Triple–A on September 17.{{Cite web|title=Marlins' Josh Simpson: Back to minors|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/marlins-josh-simpson-back-to-minors/amp/|access-date=September 17, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}
Catcher Nick Raposo† was promoted to the major leagues by the St. Louis Cardinals on June 22, 2024. He went unused off the bench and was optioned down to Triple-A on June 24.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals' Nick Raposo: Sent down to minors|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-nick-raposo-sent-down-to-minors/amp/|access-date=June 26, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}
Pitcher Jacob Bosiokovic† was promoted to the major leagues by the St. Louis Cardinals on June 30, 2024. He went unused out of the bullpen and was optioned down to Triple-A on July 5.{{Cite web|title=Cardinals' Jacob Bosiokovic: Sent back to minors|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/cardinals-jacob-bosiokovic-sent-back-to-minors/amp/|date=July 5, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}
Catcher Blake Hunt† was promoted to the major leagues by the Baltimore Orioles on July 30, 2024.{{Cite web|title=Orioles Designate Cole Irvin For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/orioles-designate-cole-irvin-for-assignment.html|access-date=July 30, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=July 30, 2024 |language=en}} He did not make an appearance and was optioned back to the Triple–A Norfolk Tides the next day.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/orioles-blake-hunt-demoted-but-with-taxi-squad/ |title=Orioles' Blake Hunt: Demoted, but with taxi squad |work=CBS Sports |date=July 31, 2024|access-date=August 1, 2024}}
Pitcher Andry Lara† was promoted to the major leagues by the Washington Nationals on April 20, 2025, as the 27th man for a doubleheader. Unused over both games, Lara was optioned back to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings the following day.{{Cite web|title=Nationals' Andry Lara: Returns to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/nationals-andry-lara-returns-to-triple-a/|access-date=April 24, 2025|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}
Pitcher Kade Strowd† was activated by the Baltimore Orioles on April 28, 2025, then optioned back to Triple-A the following day without making an appearance.{{cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/player/kade-strowd-669704 |title=Kade Strowd Stats |website=milb.com |accessdate=May 3, 2025}}
Pitcher Carlos Duran† was promoted by the Athletics on April 30, 2025, then optioned back to Triple-A two days later without making an appearance.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/athletics-carlos-duran-optioned-to-triple-a/|title=Athletics' Carlos Duran: Optioned to Triple-A

|website=cbssports.com |accessdate=May 3, 2025}}

Pitcher David Morgan† was promoted by the San Diego Padres on April 27, 2025. He went unused out of the bullpen and was optioned down to Triple-A on May 4.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-04 |title=Padres' David Morgan: Heading back to Triple-A |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-david-morgan-heading-back-to-triple-a/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}

† denotes an active professional baseball player who could lose phantom status if he returns to the major leagues and appears in a game

Honorable mentions

Baseball-Reference.com maintains lists of players who have appeared in only a single major league game; as of April 2024, there are over 1,500 batters and over 700 pitchers listed.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/coffee.shtml |title=Cup of Coffee Players |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=April 4, 2024}}

{{main|Cup of coffee (sports idiom){{!}}Cup of coffee}}

Other players who had notable experiences similar to phantom ballplayers include:

=Not officially on a major-league roster=

The Sporting Life of February 24, 1906, reported that pitcher Jimmy Whalen{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=whalen003wil|title=Jimmy Whalen Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} sent in a contract to the New York Highlanders,{{Cite web|url=https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll2|title=CONTENTdm|website=Digital.la84.org|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} although it is unclear if Whalen made the team's active roster once the season was underway. Whalen never appeared in a major league game, although he won over 250 games in the minors.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=whalen003wil |title=Jimmy Whalen Minor & Independent Leagues Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=June 1, 2018}}

Journalist Arthur "Bugs" Baer claims that he was on the Detroit Tigers team for their game of May 18, 1912, against the Philadelphia Athletics, but wasn't put in the game.{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-01-24-9501240264-story.html |title=REPLACEMENT TEAM IN COBB'S DAY LACKED SOMETHING: QUALITY |author=Jerome Holtzman |date=January 24, 1995 |work=Chicago Tribune |accessdate=February 5, 2020}} Most of the Tigers roster for that game consisted of players who were playing their first and only major league game: the Tigers had gone on strike, and an emergency squad of replacements had been hastily recruited from local amateurs, along with Tigers coaches, to allow the Tigers to field a team.

Pitcher Brian Mazone was to start a game for the 2006 Philadelphia Phillies on September 5,{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20560875/rain_washes_out_mazones_shot/ |title=Rain washes out Mazone's shot |first=Stephen |last=Miller |newspaper=The Morning Call |location=Allentown, Pennsylvania |page=C1 |date=September 6, 2006 |access-date=May 31, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} but the game was rained out and the Phillies did not activate him to their roster. He spent the rest of his career, which ended in 2010, in the minors.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mazone001bri |title=Brian Mazone Minor, Independent & Winter League Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=May 31, 2018}} "That's a tough thing to shake", Mazone said. "I was getting called up by the Phillies in 2006 to make a start [replacing Randy Wolf], and the game got rained out and they sent me back down without activating me. Randy came up to me here and apologized. Not that he did anything wrong, he just felt bad."[http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090320&content_id=4040698&vkey=n mlb.com]{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

=Passing phantoms=

Some players have gone years between first being listed on an MLB active roster without playing (thus becoming phantoms), and eventually appearing in an MLB game (thus losing phantom status). Examples include:

File:Marcus Walden (48342028062) (cropped).jpg was first listed on an MLB active roster in April 2014, but did not make his MLB debut until April 2018.]]

Pitcher Jorge Comellas was promoted by the Washington Senators in September 1937 but did not appear in any games before the season ended. After pitching in the minors for seven additional seasons, he made the 1945 Opening Day roster of the Chicago Cubs and made his MLB debut on April 19.{{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/Jorge-Comellas/ |title=Jorge Comellas |website=Society for American Baseball Research |access-date=March 14, 2022}}
Pitcher Marcus Walden was promoted by the Toronto Blue Jays in April 2014 but did not appear in a game during his five-day stint. In 2018, he made the Opening Day roster of the Boston Red Sox and made his MLB debut on April 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/mlb/id/10757741 |title=Blue Jays recall Wagner, demote Walden |website=ESPN |date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=May 27, 2019}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/surprise-bobby-poyner-and-marcus-walden-make-boston-red-sox-pitching-staff |title=Surprise! Poyner and Walden make Red Sox pitching staff |first=Evan |last=Drellich |website=NBC Sports |date=March 26, 2018 |access-date=May 28, 2019}}
Pitcher Ryne Harper was promoted by the Seattle Mariners in May 2017 but did not appear in any games before being optioned back to the minor leagues. He made the 2019 Opening Day roster of the Minnesota Twins and made his MLB debut on March 31.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/mariners/news/ryne-harper-called-up-rob-whalen-optioned-c232916622 |title=Mariners promote righty Harper, option Whalen |website=MLB.com |access-date=May 28, 2019}}
Pitcher Daniel Camarena was promoted to the major leagues by the 2019 New York Yankees on July 6, 2019, but was optioned down the next day without appearing in a game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/daniel-camarena-547176|title=Daniel Camarena Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} During the 2021 season, his contract was promoted by the San Diego Padres and he made his MLB debut on June 19.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-daniel-camarena-unsteady-in-big-league-debut/|title=Padres' Daniel Camarena: Unsteady in big-league debut|website=CBS Sports|date=June 20, 2021 }}
Pitcher Domingo Acevedo was called up to the major leagues on July 21, 2018, for the 2018 New York Yankees, but was sent down to the minor leagues hours later without appearing in a major league game. Acevedo was removed from the Yankees' 40-man roster after the 2018 season. On June 21, 2021, his contract was purchased by the Oakland Athletics and he made his MLB debut.{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/A/Pacevd001.htm |title=Domingo Acevedo |website=Retrosheet |accessdate=June 12, 2022}}
Infielder Drew Maggi was promoted to the major leagues by the Minnesota Twins on September 18, 2021, but was optioned down on September 20 without appearing in a game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-twins-make-roster-moves|title=Twins make roster moves|website=MLB.com|accessdate=November 25, 2021}} He eventually made his MLB debut on April 26, 2023, with the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/04/27/1172490786/drew-maggi-mlb-debut-pirates |language=en-US |title=After 1,154 games in the minor leagues, Drew Maggi makes his MLB debut |last=Sullivan |first=Becky |date=April 27, 2023 |accessdate=April 27, 2023 |publisher=NPR}}

=Rookie cards=

Makers of baseball cards have issued major league rookie cards featuring some players who never actually played in MLB. Two known examples are listed below. Starting in 2005, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) required card manufacturers to limit rookie cards to players already added to an MLB active roster, or players who appeared in an MLB game during the prior season.{{cite web |url=https://www.dacardworld.com/blog/product-releases/ten-baseball-card-blunders/ |title=Ten Baseball Card Blunders |website=Dacardworld.com |date=January 3, 2008 |accessdate=June 13, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5707184/2024/08/19/rookie-cards-mantle-trout/ |title=The rise of the rookie card (and the non-rookie card that started it) |first=Michael |last=Salfino |website=The Athletic |date=August 19, 2024 |accessdate=November 13, 2024 |quote=In 2005, the MLB Players Association decreed: 'Remove the licensing logos from the cards of all players without major league service. Once a player is placed on a 25-man roster, he will be eligible to appear on cards with the MLB RC (rookie card) logo.'}} Note that card makers also issue cards of "future stars", "top prospects", or similar wording, which are not rookie cards and are speculative in nature.

Catcher George Pena was featured on a 1973 Topps rookie card, along with Sergio Robles and Rick Stelmaszek.{{cite web |url=https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/baseball-cards/1973-topps/rookies-catchers-sergio-robles-george-pena-rick-stelmaszek-601/35226 |title=1973 Topps: Rookie Catchers |website=Psacard.com |accessdate=June 13, 2021}} Pena played 740 games at the Triple-A level during his professional career, but never played in MLB.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pena--001geo |title=George Pena Minor, Mexican & Winter Leagues Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=June 13, 2021}}
Pitcher Juan Veintidós was featured on a 1975 Topps rookie card, along with John Denny, Rawly Eastwick and Jim Kern.{{cite web |url=https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/baseball-cards/1975-topps/rookie-pitchers-john-denny-rawly-eastwick-jim-kern-juan-veintidos-621/35910/ |title=1975 Topps: Rookie Pitchers |website=Psacard.com |accessdate=June 12, 2021}} Veintidós pitched 89 games in Triple-A during his professional career, but never played in MLB.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=veinti001jua |title=Juan Veintidos Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=June 13, 2021}}

=Special circumstances=

Pitcher John Hardin Oldham warmed up in the bullpen multiple times during the 1956 Cincinnati Redlegs but was never called in to pitch. He did get to appear as a pinch runner on September 2, for Ted Kluszewski, who had singled as a pinch hitter.{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1956/B09020CIN1956.htm |title=Cincinnati Reds 3, Chicago Cubs 2 |website=Retrosheet |date=September 2, 1956 |accessdate=April 4, 2024}} At the end of the inning, Oldham was replaced on defense by Rocky Bridges.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN195609020.shtml Box score for Oldham's MLB appearance]

Pitcher Larry Yount, older brother of Hall of Famer Robin Yount, suffered an injury while throwing warmup pitches after being summoned as a reliever during a September 15 game for the 1971 Houston Astros.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20566686/astros_rookie_in_brief_stint/ |title=Astros' Rookie in 'Brief' Stint |agency=AP |newspaper=Odessa American |location=Odessa, Texas |page=1-B |date=September 16, 1971 |access-date=May 31, 2018 |via=newspapers.com}} He did not face a batter and did not appear in any other major-league game. Under baseball rules, Larry Yount is credited with an appearance in that game because he had been announced, despite not actually playing in the game.{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1971/B09150HOU1971.htm |title=Atlanta Braves 4, Houston Astros 2 |website=Retrosheet |date=September 15, 1971 |access-date=May 31, 2018}}

Infielder Mark Kiger never appeared in an major-league regular season game, but he holds the distinction of being the only player whose major-league career consists only of postseason games. Kiger was activated by the 2006 Oakland Athletics for the ALCS due to an injury to Mark Ellis. Kiger made two one-inning defensive appearances during the series, without having a plate appearance, and without ever playing in another major-league game.{{cite web |url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/K/Pkigem001.htm |title=Mark Kiger |website=Retrosheet |access-date=July 6, 2018}} The only players to have made their major-league debuts in the postseason are Kiger, Bug Holliday in the 1885 World Series, Adalberto Mondesí in the 2015 World Series, Alex Kirilloff in the 2020 American League Wild Card Series, and Shane McClanahan in the 2020 American League Division Series; the remaining four later played in regular-season major-league games.