Some New Places for Several Faces : Padres Bench Martinez; McCullers Now a Starting Pitcher

As promised, Steve Boros shook up his team. Monday, he made Lance McCullers a starting pitcher, Mark Thurmond a reliever, Craig Lefferts important, Marvell Wynne a regular and Carmelo Martinez a bench warmer.

He made the initial announcement on ABC television’s Monday Night Baseball, and the interviewer--Keith Jackson--did not seem to realize the magnitude of Boros’ words. Boros left the interview, approached a San Diego beat reporter and said: “Did you hear what I said in the interview?”

The reporter said “No, what?”

Boros said: “Hold on, I can’t tell you yet. I have to let one more player know.”

Boros was busy Monday. Early in the day, he approached Martinez, the Padres’ regular left fielder since 1984, and told him he would no longer be platooning with Wynne. Instead, Wynne would play center field every day, and Kevin McReynolds would move to left. Martinez wasn’t pleased and said to Boros: “There goes two good years. I thought I did the job. I guess there’s nothing I can do to change your mind.”

Next, Boros told McCullers he was replacing Thurmond in the starting rotation, although it may not be permanent. Boros just thinks Thurmond has been given every opportunity as the fifth starter and will wait no more.

McCullers, always assumed to be Goose Gossage’s replacement, used to start in the minor leagues, though he will have to be more consistent with his changeup in the majors. Everyone knows he throws hard fastballs and sliders, but can he throw hard for nine innings?

The happiest people were Lefferts and Wynne. Lefferts, suddenly, is back in his 1984 role as Goose Gossage’s set-up man, replacing McCullers. Lefferts’ ERA is a mere 2.17, and his screwball has been perfect this season. He says he’s ready. As for Wynne, he was traded to the Padres as a late-inning substitute.

“This is all surprising to me,” Wynne said. “It’s a big change to come here as a pinch-hitter and be told you’ll help out on defense and then end up starting. It’s something to be proud of, though.”

Of course, the shake-up left Martinez shaking his head. During batting practice, he stood talking to fellow Puerto Ricans Dickie Thon and Jose Cruz, telling them his sad story.

Later, he said: “I was expecting this. I knew it would happen sooner or later. Something was telling me. No, I’m not happy, I’m not happy. But no matter what I say won’t help. I led the team in home runs and game-winning RBIs last year, and I was a good clutch hitter. But he (Boros) doesn’t think so.

“Dick Williams was the one who gave me confidence. I did more better plays than bad plays under him because he kept me out there. But I think the Padres . . . they want to win big this year and are making moves. But the only move is me? That’s all? How many games we lost? What, 37? Maybe 35 we lost because of me. No, I’m just kidding. But, really, I just don’t understand it. It’s unbelievable.”

Boros said: “When we began platooning Carmelo, we thought there wouldn’t be many balls hit out to him in left that would hurt us. But there has been, and he hasn’t been productive enough at the plate to compensate.”

The fans have been booing Martinez’ defense for some time.

“The fans have hurt the kid,” General Manager Jack McKeon said Monday. “They’ve played on his confidence and he’s playing scared. He’s worried about making a mistake, and when you start putting the pressure on yourself and hope the ball’s not hit to you . . . that’s not good.”

Martinez’ response? “No, no, I’m not bothered (by the fans). They (the Padres) are just making a big deal out of it.”