NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Ruptured Disc Might Force Andersen Onto Disabled List

The Padres, who have watched reliever Larry Andersen battle through considerable pain with bulging discs in his neck for the first month of the season, decided after another examination Wednesday to place him on the 15-day disabled list.

The Padres will recall right-handed reliever John Costello to take his place. Costello, 30, has a 0-1 record and 2.50 ERA in nine appearances for triple-A Las Vegas, yielding 17 hits in 18 innings.

Andersen was examined Wednesday afternoon by a spine specialist, Dr. Roger Thorne, and said he was told that he has a ruptured disc in his neck that could cause nerve damage if he continues pitching.

“He (Thorne) told me, ‘I don’t have a crystal ball,’ ” Andersen said. “ ‘I can’t say it won’t get better if you keep pitching. On the other hand, I can’t guarantee it would cause nerve damage if you kept pitching.’ ”

Andersen was diagnosed with two bulging discs in his neck the first week of the season. The pain was erratic for the next four weeks, intolerable one day, and tolerable the next. Yet, Tuesday’s pain was unbearable, and Wednesday the Padres decided to have a specialist look at his magnetic resonance imaging test. This time, the diagnosis was a herniated disc.

“There’s been no difference,” said Padre physician Cliff Colwell, “just the fact that it’s hung on and hung on. And through all the treatment, he’s still not well.

Said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager: We’ve been debating and debating over this. It’s been a tough decision. There were days he could pitch, and days he had trouble with it. We just thought this was best.

“We’ll be hearing a lot from Larry Andersen before the year’s out. I’d rather lose him now than July or August.”

In the meantime, Andersen said he can only wait, and, well, read fan mail. He received two letters this week providing advice, albeit, a bit quirky.

Said one letter: “Dear Sir, stop throwing with your pitching arm. Starting throwing with your opposite arm 10 to 12 times for a week, and you’ll relieve the pressure in the pinched nerve in your neck. How do I know? Past experience.” The letter was signed be retired doctor.

Said Andersen: “This guy probably retired when he was 28 years old. He’s probably the reason malpractice insurance is so high.”

The other letter informed Andersen that the pain might be psychological, and if he doesn’t believe he has the pain, he’ll be all right.

“Great,” Andersen said, “so actually I don’t have the pain. I’ll be able to sleep tonight knowing it’s only in my mind and all I have to do is throw left-handed.”

The Padres still are undecided what to do Saturday for a starter, although they might give Eric Nolte one more shot. Nolte, who has yielded 10 hits and 11 earned runs in 1 2/3 innings his past two starts, pitched on the side Tuesday. If he doesn’t start, the Padres likely will place him through waivers in an attempt to send him to triple-A Las Vegas, and call up Peterson or Melendez.

Padre pitcher Atlee Hammaker, who has been on the disabled list while his broken finger has mended, will be sent to Class A High Desert for a rehabilitative assignment beginning Monday against Visalia.

Hammaker pitched for three innings Wednesday in a simulated game, and pronounced himself fit. He likely will stay at High Desert for at least two or three starts before the Padres will consider recalling him.

Padre starter Dennis Rasmussen, making his third start for triple-A Las Vegas on his rehabilitative assignment, lost 3-1 to Portland on Wednesday night. He yielded five hits,three runs, one earned, four walks and four strikeouts in six innings. He is expected to make at least one more start before being recalled. . . . Phillie starter Ken Howell, who has been on the disabled list this season with bone spurs in his right elbow, threw off the mound Tuesday and is hoping to return to the rotation in mind-June. PADRES AT A GLANCE

Scorecard

FIRST INNING

Padres--Roberts walked. Fernandez doubled to right-center, Roberts stopping at third. Gwynn grounded to second, Roberts scoring. McGriff doubled to right, Fernandez scoring. Santiago grounded to third. Presley struck out. Two runs, two hits, one left. Padres 2, Phillies 0.

FOURTH INNING

Phillies--With one out, Murphy doubled to right. Jordan struck out. C. Hayes doubled to right, Murphy scoring. Fletcher flied to left. One run, two hits, one left. Padres 2, Phillies 1.

SIXTH INNING

Phillies--Morandini singled to right. Kruk singled to shortstop, Morandini stopping at second. Murphy walked, loading the bases. Jordan homered to left, his second. Hayes grounded to third. Fletcher struck out. Thon doubled to left. Cox struck out. Four runs, four hits, one left. Phillies 5, Padres 2.