Carpenter signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 38-year-old slashed just .176/.322/.319 last season with the Padres before being traded to Atlanta over the offseason and then released. He's owed $5.5 million in 2024 but the Cardinals will be responsible only for the veteran minimum. Carpenter could conceivably see time time in the designated hitter spot in St. Louis, but it'll be difficult for the club to justify playing time for him over younger options.

Carpenter was released by Atlanta on Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Atlanta had hoped to find a trade partner willing to take on at least some of the $4 million it owed Carpenter in 2024 (the Padres also owe him $1.5 million), but it wasn't to be. The 38-year-old slashed an ugly .176/.322/.319 during his lone season in San Diego and there's a distinct possibility we've seen the last of the three-time All-Star in the big leagues.

Atlanta acquired Carpenter (elbow), Ray Kerr and cash considerations from the Padres on Friday in exchange for Drew Campbell.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter, 38, posted a dreadful .176/.322/.319 batting line with five home runs over 76 games (237 plate appearances) for San Diego in 2023 and finished the year on the injured list because of right elbow inflammation. With no need at first base or designated hitter, Atlanta could quickly flip him to another team. He's owed $5.5 million in 2024 after exercising his final-year player option earlier this offseason, but the Padres will cover $1.5 million of that.

Carpenter (elbow) exercised his $5.5 million player option for 2024 on Friday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter slashed .176/.322/.319 across 236 plate appearances with the Padres in 2023 and was unlikely to attract a large offer in the open market, so he'll opt into $5.5 million heading into his age-38 season. Carpenter battled injuries and saw his playing time decrease during the latter half of the season, and it's possible he remains in a reserve role to begin the 2024 campaign.

The Padres placed Carpenter on the 10-day injured list Friday with right elbow inflammation.

EDGE Analysis

The move comes retroactive to Tuesday, so Carpenter will be eligible to return in a week. Carpenter has gone 2-for-10 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored since the start of September, and he will be replaced on the roster by Ji-Man Choi (ankle), who was reinstated from the injured list Friday.

Carpenter has started four of the Padres' past seven games after logging just 14 plate appearances across all of August.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter's increase in playing time has followed Jake Cronenworth (wrist) going on the injured list in late August. Three of Carpenter's past four starts have come at first base, and he's gone 2-for-10 with a home run, two RBI and a 4:5 BB:K during that stretch. The veteran is slashing a meager .176/.322/.319 on the campaign, but he may continue to see opportunities down the stretch, though it's unlikely he becomes an everyday starter.

Carpenter hasn't seen any game action for the Padres since July 24, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

As Acee points out, Carpenter is the only player in the majors to have been on an active roster continuously since July 25 to have not appeared in a game during that time. The 37-year-old is batting just .166/.296/.302 on the season, and it may only be a matter of time that he loses his spot on the Padres roster. Carpenter is making $6.5 million in 2023 and holds a $5.5 million player option for 2024.

Carpenter remains on the bench for Saturday's game against the Tigers, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran is hitting .169/.297/.307 on the season and has gone 2-for-33 at the plate in his last 16 games. As a result, he's lost his access to regular at-bats as a designated hitter, even against righties. Tate Kohlwey filled that role Friday, but it will be Xander Bogaerts resting his legs there Saturday.

Carpenter is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter has survived the Padres' recent roster churn -- while Nelson Cruz and Rougned Odor did not -- but Fernando Tatis is taking a turn as the DH on Wednesday versus the Blue Jays and right-hander Jose Berrios. Juan Soto, Trent Grisham and Taylor Kohlwey will start across the outfield.

Carpenter isn't in the Padres' lineup Saturday against the Mets, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Carpenter's struggles at the plate have begun to cost him significant playing time, as Saturday marks the fifth time Carpenter will sit in San Diego's last seven games. Brandon Dixon will serve as the Padres' designated hitter and bat seventh.