Padres Talk to Valenzuela

The Padres have had preliminary talks with free agent left-hander Fernando Valenzuela, Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, said Friday night. But McIlvaine refused to divulge whether the Padres are willing to make the starting pitcher a contract offer.

“We’ve had some contact with him,” McIlvaine said, “but I can’t tell you how interested we are. I haven’t even told his agent (Tony DeMarco). We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Valenzuela, a six-time All-Star, spent the past nine years with the Dodgers before filing for free agency. The Dodgers, who paid Valenzuela $2 million this past season, said they are not interested in re-signing him.

Valenzuela, 30, was 13-13 with a 4.59 earned-run average this past season. Although he pitched a no-hitter June 29 against the St. Louis Cardinals, he was 1-3 with an 8.40 ERA in his last six starts.

The Padres, who have an opening for the fifth spot in their rotation, also have been contacted by left-hander Teddy Higuera (11-10, 3.76 ERA), who filed for free agency from the Milwaukee Brewers. McIlvaine declined to reveal the Padres’ interest, if any.

In other news, the Padres completed their organizational meeting by obtaining third baseman Tom Redington of the Atlanta Braves, who were attempting to outright him on waivers.