Padre Notebook : Shoulder May Delay Hoyt Debut

Pitcher LaMarr Hoyt, still experiencing some soreness in his right shoulder, may not be ready to pitch April 29, the planned date for his season debut.

Pitching coach Galen Cisco said Wednesday that Hoyt “is not as far along as we hoped.”

“When will he pitch? What’s today? The 16th? He’s supposed to pitch in 13 days? That’s not that much time,” Cisco said. “Usually, you work yourself up to throwing fastballs at 85-90% and then start throwing breaking balls. He hasn’t gotten to the point yet (when he can throw breaking balls). I guess he probably could (throw harder), but we want him to take it slow. We’d like to have him for as long as we can this season.”

Hoyt entered the Hazelden Foundation in Minnesota Feb. 27 for treatment of an alcohol problem and returned to the team March 28. Since then, he has thrown batting practice and appeared in one exhibition game, against Minnesota on April 6.

The day after that appearance, his shoulder ached and he hasn’t thrown hard since.

“I think it (the shoulder) is getting a little better,” Cisco said. “. . . In other words, he’s not favoring it as much.”

Hoyt: “I’ll just do what they tell me.”

If Hoyt isn’t ready by the 29th, the Padres have a decision to make. As of now, they’re working with a four-man rotation, but, sooner or later, they’ll need a fifth starter.

Bring up a guy from Las Vegas? Or trade for Pittsburgh’s Rick Rhoden? The Padres still are interested in Rhoden, but, as of early this week, the Pirates were expected to visit Las Vegas to scout some of San Diego’s young talent.

Steve Garvey, who started all 162 games last season, might be rested during this weekend’s series with San Francisco.

“He might be,” Manager Steve Boros said Wednesday. “I’ll look at the injury situation and see.”

If Carmelo Martinez’ sore left knee is better, it would be Martinez who takes Garvey’s place.”

Boros told Garvey in spring training that he’d like to play him in about 155 games to keep him fresh and to give extra men some playing time.

Garvey responded: “I’ll play so well you’ll want to keep me in the lineup.”

Garvey, before Wednesday, was hitting .187 but does have two home runs.

“If he rests me, that’s fine,” Garvey said. “I’ve just told him, please try to get me in somehow.”

So Garvey could pinch hit even if he doesn’t start.

“The way I’ve been managing, those men on the bench stay alert,” Boros said. “They’re afraid to go to the bathroom.”