Padres’ Decision on Wiggins Disputed

Don Fehr, executive director of the Major League Players Assn., said Monday that the San Diego Padres’ intention not to play Alan Wiggins again this season is “astonishing.”

Wiggins left the team April 25, then entered a drug treatment center April 27.

According to Fehr, the Padres had no right to announce last Saturday that he will not play again with the team this season.

Fehr, reached in his New York City office, said: “What we have got is emotionalism on behalf of the Padres. I’m sure calmer heads will result. . . . It’s a medical decision, so the Padres aren’t entitled to make this decision.

“And I’m confident they won’t (stand by their decision). If he’s ready to begin playing, I assume he’ll return. If not, we’ll do something about it. I’m rather confident when that time comes, (the Padres) will comply with the (joint drug) agreement because reasonable people comply with the agreements they make.”

Under terms of the joint drug agreement, the Padres and Wiggins’ lawyers have to agree what to do with Wiggins, since he volunteered to enter a rehabilitation center, or a joint review counsel, made up of three doctors, will become involved.