PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Fernandez, Picciolo Have Words

Padre All-Star shortstop Tony Fernandez and Coach Rob Picciolo were involved in a loud shouting match about an hour before Friday’s Padres-Houston game.

It started between the field and the clubhouse and carried into the clubhouse. Apparently, there was a disagreement when Picciolo wanted Fernandez to be involved in a meeting with pitcher Jose Melendez, who started his first game Friday for the Padres.

By the time they met in the clubhouse, they were shouting at each other.

“Don’t you disrespect me in front of my teammates!” Fernandez was heard to yell.

“Don’t you disrespect me!” Picciolo shouted back.

The Padres quickly closed the clubhouse doors. They remained shut for about five minutes.

Afterward, when asked about the exchange, Picciolo offered a terse “No comment.” Fernandez had disappeared from the locker area in the clubhouse.

Lost in the Garry Templeton trade and Benito Santiago situation, the Padres released pitcher Wes Gardner Friday when he rejected an assignment with triple-A Las Vegas.

“It was his performance more than anything else,” Padre General Manager Joe McIlvaine said.

Gardner was 0-1 with a 7.08 ERA in 14 games with the Padres.

Two Padre starting pitchers sidelined with tendinitis in their elbows had different results when they threw Friday.

Greg Harris, who went on the disabled list April 23, threw batting practice and gave a good report on the elbow.

“He threw the ball real well,” said Padre pitching coach Mike Roarke. “He threw some good curveballs and good changes. He felt good except he couldn’t understand why the ball was scattering.”

Translation: Harris’s control was a little off, but Roarke said that’s to be expected. Harris will likely pitch a simulated game next week in Pittsburgh.

Ed Whitson, meanwhile, played long-toss in the outfield but stopped after four or five throws when he felt pain in his right elbow.

“They’re not going to let me throw until (the pain) is gone,” Whitson said.