Taking stock of the Padres’ potential September call-ups

September call-ups are not what they used to be, and that’s probably a good thing. The Padres get two extra roster spots which should make the assignment fairly simple. They need to find one position player and one pitcher who can make an impact down the stretch.

This probably won’t be about rewarding minor-league performance or starting the clock on the most exciting prospect just because. Whoever gets the call needs to bring something Craig Stammen can use immediately.

The Padres’ September call-up picture is coming into focus

Padres position-player possibilities

• Ethan Salas
• Samad Taylor
• Sung-Mun Song
• Gage Workman
• Will Wagner
• Miguel Andújar

The flashiest move would be promoting Salas. The 20-year-old has hit his way into the conversation at Triple-A, and getting a look at the Padres’ top catching prospect would give September some excitement. But it would be reckless if he’s not there to play regularly. The Friars already have Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano behind the plate, and Salas isn’t on the 40-man roster. Calling him up to catch twice and spend the rest of the month watching would feel more promotional than practical.

A more functional bench probably points toward Taylor or Song. Taylor is already on a rehab assignment and can provide speed, defensive flexibility and experience coming off the bench. Song would give Stammen another left-handed bat and extra infield coverage. Neither move would shake the roster, but September games are often decided by those players who can give you a marginal boost.

If defense becomes the priority, Workman has a real case. Wagner offers another left-handed option with on-base ability, although his placement on the temporarily inactive list clouds his immediate availability. Andújar is operating on a different schedule entirely. His fractured right wrist probably keeps him out of the Sept. 1 mix, but a return later in the month could matter more than any traditional promotion.

Padres pitching possibilities

• Jhony Brito
• Alek Jacob
• J.P. Sears
• Hunter Stratton
• Garrett Hawkins
• Joe Musgrove

The pitching pool is harder to sort because these arms are not competing for the same exact job. Brito and Sears can offer length, which becomes valuable when a starter exits early and the bullpen needs someone to absorb ugly middle innings. Jacob and Stratton fit more naturally into conventional relief work. Hawkins remains intriguing, but asking him to contribute during a playoff chase sounds a bit risky.

San Diego’s safest choice might be Brito. He’s familiar, can cover multiple innings and wouldn’t require the Padres to reinvent anything. Sears brings the advantage of being left-handed, but the basic assignment would be similar.

However, everything changes if Musgrove is ready. After throwing five innings and 60 pitches in his latest rehab start, his return is close enough that we cannot treat it as a distant hope. If the Padres activate him around Sept. 1, he becomes the pitching decision, and everyone else starts waiting for another opening.

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