Clark Is on Disabled List; Dunne Likely Replacement

The struggling Padres will have to get along without their big power man for at least another week, perhaps longer.

First baseman Jack Clark was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, retroactive to May 6, because of a herniated disc and muscle tear in his lower back. He suffered the injury May 5 in Chicago, but played the following day before the pain forced him out of the lineup.

Pitcher Mike Dunne, who is on rehabilitation assignment with the Padres’ Las Vegas farm club, is expected to replace Clark on the roster. Padre Manager Jack McKeon wouldn’t confirm that Dunne had been recalled, but Las Vegas Manager Pat Kelly told Las Vegas reporters that he had been ordered to join the Padres today.

When McKeon was asked about Dunne’s recall, he said, “He’ll be ready to go to the bullpen tomorrow if he gets here. But a decision has not been officially made, and it won’t be made until tomorrow.”

McKeon also said, “We have to recall Dunne anyway,” so even while cloaking his statements in mystery, he left little doubt that Dunne would be the man.

Dunne, 27, a right-hander, was drafted by the Padres out of the Seattle Mariners’ organization last December. As a drafted player, he must be kept by the Padres or offered back to the Mariners.

Because Dunne underwent shoulder surgery in November, the Padres were allowed to give him a 30-day rehabilitation period before making a decision. When he pitched a no-hitter recently, it became a foregone conclusion that he would be recalled. In 28 innings of work, he has a 1-2 record and a 3.21 earned run average.

Three years ago, Dunne was one of the outstanding rookies in baseball. He had a 13-6 record and a 3.03 ERA for the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, he slipped to 7-11 in 1988, then was traded to the Mariners in April 1989 and wound up the season at Calgary.

McKeon said that Dunne probably would be sent to the bullpen at first, but left open the possibility that he eventually would start. With Eric Show mired at 0-5 after his 15-0 loss to the Montreal Expos Sunday at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, this could happen soon.

“He’s basically a starter,” McKeon said of Dunne.

Clark seemed upbeat as he left the park after Sunday’s game.

“The big thing is that I don’t need surgery,” he said. “Medication and stuff should take care of it.”