3 Padres players who won't be on the roster on September 1

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The San Diego Padres are a team trying to hang onto their last glimmer of hope for a postseason spot, but those hopes took a crushing blow when they lost three of four at home to the reeling Diamondbacks. That series loss put the Padres back at seven games under .500 with their postseason odds at a season-low.

The roster in September will look different with rosters expanding to 28 from their usual 26. This helps certain players remain in the fold who might not in normal circumstances, but San Diego still has three players who could find themselves either in the minors or DFA'd by September 1.

1) San Diego Padres pitcher Pedro Avila will suffer the same fate many relievers with options deal with

This is the classic relievers with options scenario. Pedro Avila has done absolutely nothing to warrant being sent down. In his six appearances (one start), he has a 0.81 ERA. He's allowed two runs in 22.1 innings of work. That is, obviously, exceptional production especially from a guy getting his first long run in the majors.

There are two issues with Avila. First, he's a long reliever. He's used for four or occasionally even five innings in his appearances, and that makes him unavailable for many days consecutively. This makes him an easy target as a player San Diego can simply send down for a fresh arm if they need one, and then call back up when they want length.

Second, he has options. This means Avila can be sent up and down up to five times this season without consequence. The team does not have to DFA him or risk losing him if they choose to option him down.

Let's say Avila goes four innings one day and the rest of the bullpen is exhausted. Avila is the guy they'd send down to get a fresh arm, even if he doesn't deserve it.

The Padres should be getting Tim Hill back sometime soon. The only relievers with options are Avila, Tom Cosgrove, Scott Barlow, and Steven Wilson. Barlow and Wilson aren't going anywhere, and Cosgrove shouldn't either with how great he's been in the 'pen. This leaves Avila as the only realistic option, even if he is undeserving.

San Diego Padres infielder Matt Carpenter / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

2) The San Diego Padres will eventually have to cut their losses with Matt Carpenter

I have absolutely no idea how Matt Carpenter has lasted as long as he has. The Padres Opening Day DH against righties played his way out of his starting role by the time the first half ended.

Carpenter has eight appearances (five starts) and 19 plate appearances since the All-Star break. He has just three appearances (one start) and two at-bats in the month of August. He has lost virtually all of his playing time, yet he's still here.

Carpenter is slashing .170/.301/.304 with four home runs and 28 RBI. He was one of few Padres who hit in the month of April, but he's done nothing since. Even with Ji-Man Choi out and San Diego's offense still not performing, Carpenter still has a roster spot.

I'm sure the fact that Carpenter has another year left on his contract has something to do with it (Nelson Cruz did not when he got DFA'd), but if this team does want to make their unlikely run, having a player wasting a roster spot over someone else who could potentially contribute doesn't help.

San Diego Padres right fielder Ben Gamel / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

3) Padres outfielder Ben Gamel has no role on this Padres team

The Padres made an under-the-radar move prior to the MLB Trade Deadline, acquiring Ben Gamel in a deal with the Rays. Gamel has a .717 OPS in eight seasons and has been a fine bench outfielder, but the Padres already have that with Jose Azocar.

Azocar isn't as good of a hitter as Gamel is, but he can provide value in the field and on the base paths that Gamel cannot. The Padres run the trio of Soto, Grisham, and Tatis in the outfield virtually every day. While this team has a puncher's chance at a postseason spot, it's safe to say none of these three will rest much if at all unless there is an injury.

Gamel does provide some versatility as he saw some time at first base in the minors, but even then, is he really playing over Jake Cronenworth, Garrett Cooper, or Ji-Man Choi when he returns? Probably not. And there really isn't anyone you'd want him to pinch hit for either.

It's a shame the Padres don't have much depth, but when Choi does return from the IL, Gamel's spot is there for him to take. Unfortunately San Diego would have to risk losing him as he doesn't have options, but that's how this goes sometimes.

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