Hurst Gets Extension on Contract : Baseball: Left-hander becomes highest-paid Padre.

The San Diego Padres on Tuesday signed pitcher Bruce Hurst to a two-year, $6-million contract extension through the 1993 season with an option for a third year.

The contract, according to sources, will pay Hurst $2.75 million in 1992 and 1993 and $500,000 in signing bonuses. The Padres have an option for 1994 at $3 million or must pay a $400,000 buyout. Hurst, who was 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA last season, already was scheduled to make $1.75 million for the 1991 season.

On a day that ex-Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Morris also joined the $3 million club when he signed with Minnesota, Hurst became the highest-paid Padres’ player by average salary, pending Fred McGriff’s arbitration hearing Feb. 15. McGriff is asking for $3.3 million; the Padres offered $2.25 million. Hurst also became the 32nd player and the 13th pitcher to earn an average of $3 million a year.

“Bruce was pleased they were willing to make a commitment,” said Nick Lampros, Hurst’s agent. “It’s a deal where he’s not going to have a great deal of buyer’s remorse in a couple days.”

Hurst, 32, would have been eligible for arbitration in 1992 and 1993, and he could have become a free agent after the 1993 season.

“This was something he wanted,” Lampros said. “This gives him some further security. If we wouldn’t have gotten this deal, we’d have pitched this year and then seen what happened.”

Said McIlvaine: “Bruce Hurst is a very significant player and person in the Padres’ plans for the foreseeable future. We are delighted to be able to come to terms with him on this extension. We look for many good outings from Bruce over the next few years.”

Lampros said he and his client began discussions on a contract extension shortly after McIlvaine replaced Jack McKeon as general manager.

“It’s something the new owners had in mind,” Lampros said. “We had a meeting last week, and then a couple phone calls. It didn’t take that much time to get something.”

After an 18-6 season with the Boston Red Sox in 1988, Hurst signed a three-year, $5.25 million contract with the Padres. In 1989, Hurst had a 15-11 record and a 2.69 ERA, which placed him fifth in the National League.

After a slow start in 1990, Hurst went 6-1 with a 1.51 ERA over his last 13 outings.

McIlvaine had preliminary discussions on Monday with Tony Gwynn to renegotiate his contract.

This morning at 9:30, the Padres have an arbitration hearing scheduled with catcher Benito Santiago. He is asking for $2.5 million; the Padres’ offer is $1.65 million.

Morris, the winningest pitcher of the 1980s, rejected a $9.3-million, three-year offer that would have kept him in Detroit and signed a one-year contract with the Twins.