NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Whitson, Roarke Encouraged With the Progress of Pitcher

Ed Whitson threw on the side Tuesday and pronounced himself ready to pitch a simulated game. Padre pitching coach Mike Roarke was a little more cautious, however.

“He’ll probably throw one more time (on the side) before facing live hitters,” Roarke said.

At any rate, both Roarke and Whitson were encouraged with Tuesday’s session. After warming up, Whitson, who is on the disabled list with elbow tendinitis, threw about 70 pitches. He even mixed in a few breaking balls.

“I felt real good,” Whitson said. “Everything was fine.”

If Whitson still feels good today, he will probably throw on the side Friday in St. Louis. If that goes well, Roarke said, Whitson may pitch a simulated game Monday or Tuesday. Roarke said he doubted that Whitson would go on a rehabilitation assignment before rejoining the Padre rotation.

And Whitson said he definitely wouldn’t need a rehabilitation assignment.

“No,” he said. “I wouldn’t think so. I hope the hell not. That’s a waste of time for me, I think.”

Greg Harris, another Padre pitcher with arm trouble, had a tough night in Phoenix Tuesday for triple-A Las Vegas. He lasted only three innings, allowing six runs--four earned--and four hits. He yielded one home run, walked two and struck out one.

In two starts for Las Vegas, Harris’ ERA is 14.85. In 6 2/3 innings, he has allowed 14 runs (11 earned) and 11 hits. He has walked six and struck out three.

Before learning of Harris’ results Tuesday, Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said regardless of how Harris fared, he will probably remain in Las Vegas for another outing.

“The last time, he wasn’t consistent,” Riddoch said. “He probably needs another time.”

Padre first baseman Fred McGriff was back in the lineup for the second consecutive day after two days off, but his toe continues to ache.

“It’s going to be sore all season,” he said.

It is the left big toe, and McGriff says he thinks there is ligament damage. Rest will cure it, he said, but he doesn’t figure to get rest until October.

“I just try to get it taped up and go out there,” McGriff said. “You can’t do too much when your feet hurt.”

Pitching matchups this weekend in St. Louis: The Padres’ Dennis Rasmussen (3-1) vs. Bryn Smith (5-4) Friday at 5:35 p.m.; Jose Melendez (2-2) vs. Ken Hill (6-4) Saturday at 5:05 p.m.; Bruce Hurst (7-4) vs. Omar Olivares (0-1) Sunday at 11:15 p.m.; Adam Peterson (2-1) vs. Bob Tewksbury (5-2) Monday at 5:35 p.m.

Pirate third baseman Bobby Bonilla will be fined for throwing his bat after being called out on strikes in the first inning. . . . Riddoch said he will join Whitson on a fishing trip this weekend in St. Louis. . . . The Padres announced the signing of Brian Damato, a 19-year-old right-handed pitcher, who was selected in the 35th round of the June draft. Damato is from Pilgrim High School in Warwick, R.I. . . . Don’t look now, but Mike Aldrete, who wasn’t around long enough to have a cup of coffee with the Padres this year, hit his first homer of the season Tuesday night for Cleveland. PADRES AT A GLANCE

FOURTH INNING

Pirates--With two out, LaValliere homered to right, his second. Lind singled to left. Tomlin called out on strikes. One run, two hits, one left. Pirates 1, Padres 0.

SIXTH INNING

Padres--Roberts singled to left, taking second on Bonds’ fielding error. Fernandez sacrificed to first. Gwynn grounded to pitcher, Roberts scoring. J. Clark grounded to third. One run (unearned), one hit, one error. Pirates 1, Padres 1.

NINTH INNING

Pirates--With one out, Lind singled to center. Redus flied to left. Merced doubled to left, Lind taking third. Bell singled to left, Lind and Merced scoring. McClendon singled to left, Bell taking second. Bonilla flied to right. Two runs, four hits, two left. Pirates 3, Padres 1.