PADRES : Gwynn Tries to Stop Talk About Clark

Tony Gwynn made his thoughts clear Tuesday before the Padres’ workout. In black and white.

The sign posted above his locker read: “Please, no more Jack Clark questions. And I don’t want to know what he’s said. Thank you.”

Clark has been taking verbal stabs at Gwynn since last season. Recently, Gwynn shot back. And Clark responded. Now, at least from Gwynn’s end, the jousting session is over.

Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said he will go about ducking questions in a different manner, responding with a simple “no comment.”

Catcher Benito Santiago will bat fifth throughout spring training, Riddoch said. The Padres originally considered using him lower in the lineup, but Riddoch decided to move him to fifth because of his RBI potential.

“He looked great today,” Riddoch said. “His swing is good. His frame of mind is good.”

The first four spots in the batting order will be occupied by Bip Roberts, Tony Fernandez, Gwynn and Fred McGriff. Riddoch said he will try to keep his top five fixed through spring training to establish continuity.

Today is the deadline set by Padre General Manager Joe McIlvaine for all remaining unsigned players to sign contracts. Among them are pitchers Andy Benes and Greg Harris, who have been negotiating higher salaries. Since they have played in the major leagues for less than three seasons, they are ineligible for arbitration, which leaves them without leverage in contract talks.

Benes, sources said, is seeking more than $300,000, Harris about $450,000. Benes made $130,000 last season, Harris $175,000.

Asked what he thought the outcome of the talks would be, Benes responded: “I don’t think I’m going to be traded or released.”

Benes pitched Tuesday for the first time since Thursday, when he was bothered by a sore back.

Veteran Greg Gross, who is trying to earn a roster spot as a pinch hitter, figures he isn’t making as much of a spectacle of himself since he began wearing prescription glasses on Monday.

He survived Tuesday’s workout with no mishaps.

“Hey, I didn’t stumble once today,” he said. “I’m not really as entertaining to my teammates as I was before.”

Pitcher Rich Rodriguez Tuesday signed a one-year split contract that sources said will pay him $117,000 if he makes the big-league team. He will receive less if he is sent to the minors.

Padre Notes

Manager Greg Riddoch announced his pitching lineup for the first spring training games Friday and Saturday against the Angels. Ed Whitson will start Friday’s 1 p.m. game, followed by Derek Lilliquist, Mike Dunne, Brian Holton and Candy Sierra. In the “B” game beginning at 10 a.m., Pat Clements will start, followed by Terry Gilmore and Jeremy Hernandez. On Saturday, Bruce Hurst will be the “A” game starter, followed by Dennis Rasmussen, Larry Andersen, Rich Rodriguez and Ricky Bones.