PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB WOLF : Padres’ Crowd at Third Base Just Continues to Get Bigger

Rookie Paul Faries is the latest to enter the Padres’ third base sweepstakes.

Manager Greg Riddoch used Jim Presley Sunday for the first time in four games, but didn’t even wait to see how Presley fared--he went hitless--before naming Faries to play against the Giants in San Francisco tonight.

Faries made his first start of the season at second base Saturday night and hit a two-run triple in the Padres’ 5-3 victory over the Dodgers at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. With that hit, he matched the runs-batted-in total of Presley (two) and Garry Templeton (none), who have divided the duty up to now.

After that, with Bip Roberts back at second against the Dodgers here Sunday after a one-game rest, Riddoch decided to see what Faries could do at third.

“That’s one spot where nobody has answered the question so far,” Riddoch said. “You might even see Marty Barrett over there from time to time.”

Riddoch said he would “play it by ear” in his search for an everyday third baseman, but didn’t rule out the possibility of giving the job to Faries.

“He’s a Tim Flannery type, and he can do a lot of things,” Riddoch said.

Faries took the good news calmly, saying, “I’m not going in to take anybody’s job. I just look at the lineup every day and hope I’m in there.”

Presley, who appeared to have won the job in spring training, said, “I’ll just have to ride it out. You can’t expect to hit the ball after three or four days off. I’ve played through this before.”

Between them, Presley and Templeton are hitting an even .100. Presley is two for 26 (.077) and Templeton three for 24 (.125).

Padre left-hander Dennis Rasmussen threw 70 pitches in a simulated game Sunday and will leave Wednesday on a rehabilitation assignment with the Triple-A Las Vegas club.

Rasmussen has been out since the second exhibition game with tendinitis in his left shoulder, and the Padres have a maximum of 30 days before bringing him back. He remains on the disabled list.

“I feel ready to pitch in a game right now,” Rasmussen said. “It’s been frustrating all this time--watching all the guys compete for the fifth starting spot, seeing (Calvin) Schiraldi released, (Derek) Lilliquist sent down and (Eric) Nolte come out of the blue.”

Rasmussen is scheduled to pitch for Las Vegas in Tucson Friday night. Asked if he might eventually rejoin the starting rotation, Riddoch said, “He’ll be a candidate.”

Another Padre lefty on the disabled list, Atlee Hammaker, will pitch in one or two simulated games before undergoing rehabilitation. He missed spring training because of a broken finger.