NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Test Reveals Andersen Has Disc Problem in Neck

Padre reliever Larry Andersen was surprised at the diagnosis Tuesday morning. He was shocked at the prognosis. But as much as he respects the Padres doctors’ opinion, sorry, he’s not going to listen.

Andersen underwent a magnetic resonance imaging test Tuesday, and it was discovered that he has two bulging discs in his neck that are pressing against his spinal cord. He was told he could undergo surgery, which likely would end his season. Or he could recuperate by going on the disabled list for a month, or at least two weeks.

Andersen listened intently, gulped a couple of times, and informed the Padres that he wants to continue pitching.

“I know it’s risky, and I know it can get worse,” Andersen said, “but I want to go on. I was telling Greg (Riddoch, Padre Manager), that rarely does a pitcher go out there when they don’t feel something a little wrong, anyway. This is just a new pain in a different spot.

“I think the doctors are probably more conservative in this situation. I guess I’m probably more aggressive. But I won’t consider surgery unless it’s a drastic situation.

“At least it’s comforting to know a tumor isn’t there. And I know I don’t have spurs in my neck that are covered up with arthritis. So not everything’s bad.”

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of Andersen’s injury, which has limited him to only one appearance, is his inactivity.

His appearance in the ninth inning Tuesday was his first since April 9. Entering with the bases loaded, Andersen retired Chris Sabo on a pop-up before yielding Hal Morris’ RBI single to left field.

“I’m not going to bitch and moan when I don’t pitch,” Andersen said before Tuesday’s game. “It’s never been my style, and it never will be. How he (Riddoch) wants to use me is his decision. I’m just frustrated because I know if I’ve been healthy, there’s several sitautions I would have been in all ready.”

Andersen warmed up in the bullpen the past few days and said had little discomfort--except once.

“I decided (Monday) to air one out,” Andersen said, “and man, that grabbed me good. I don’t think I’ll be doing that again for awhile.

“Really, I think I’ll be all right. I’ve just got to make sure I’m not diving to avoid some Scud missiles up the middle.

“I’ve just got to get over the hump, or in my case, the lump.”

Infielder Garry Templeton, 35, who has been teased by his teammates about his age, might really feel old when he catches a glimpse of the Houston Astros for the first time.

The Astros have only one player on their team--Mark McLemore who has more than three years of experience. Their entire staring lineup, in fact, totals only 13 years and 65 days of major-league experience.

Templeton has 14 years and 57 days of service by himself.

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn, reacting to Giant left fielder Kevin Mitchell’s two-game suspension for charging Padre pitcher Bruce Hurst: “So, he’ll hit 55 homers this year instead of 58, what’s the big deal.”

Padre pitcher Ed Whitson on first baseman Fred McGriff’s defensive skills: “He’s one of the slickest first basemen I’ve ever seen. The last time I saw a first baseman pick a ball like Freddie is Willie Stargell. He’s got hands of silk.”

Gwynn, on the Padres’ hot start, particularly offensively: “We were talking about it on the bench, and said with the way we’re going, if you’re only hitting .300, you’re not going to be in the lineup very long.”

Reds Manager Lou Piniella, concerned about his bullpen, has moved Scott Scudder back into relief and will insert rookie Chris Hammond into the starting rotation beginning tonight. Hammond, who was 15-1 with a 2.17 ERA last season at triple-A Nashville, will make his fourth career start at 7:35 tonight against the Padres’ Greg Harris. The move appears to make sense, at least statistically. Scudder was 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA in 11 games in relief, and 3-4 with a 6.43 ERA in 10 games as a starter.