NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Unofficially Speaking, Piniella Has Gwynn, McGriff As All-Stars

No one is saying anything officially, but right fielder Tony Gwynn and first baseman Fred McGriff of the Padres will be selected next week as reserves for the All-Star Game, from all indications Cincinnati Reds Manager Lou Piniella made Wednesday.

Piniella says he has decided that Gwynn will be on the team for the seventh year, and McGriff will be selected for the first time in his five-year career.

“You can count on Gwynn being there,” Piniella said, “and let’s just say McGriff is a strong, strong candidate.”

The selection of Gwynn and McGriff will guarantee three Padres on the team, as catcher Benito Santiago is assured of being elected to it.

Piniella says he also is considering shortstop Tony Fernandez and pitcher Bruce Hurst of the Padres, but Hurst’s selection is doubtful, and Fernandez’s is highly questionable.

The dilemma with Fernandez is that Piniella has decided that he will select Reds shortstop Barry Larkin as a shortstop reserve, joining St. Louis shortstop Ozzie Smith, who’ll be elected.

Although Larkin has played in only 50 games this season, missing 20 games, and Fernandez has played in all 73 of the Padres’ games, Larkin’s offensive numbers still are superior. He entered Wednesday’s game hitting .294 with nine homers and 27 RBIs, while Fernandez is hitting .297 with two homers and 15 RBIs.

Piniella says the decision likely will wind up between Fernandez and Dodger first baseman Eddie Murray for the final infield roster spot.

“My chances are very slim,” Fernandez said. “I’m just being realistic. I really don’t think I’ll be there.”

Piniella, according to sources, already has decided on eight infielders: Will Clark of the Giants and McGriff at first base; Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs and Juan Samuel of the Dodgers at second base; Smith and Larkin at shortstop; and Chris Sabo of the Reds and Howard Johnson of the Mets at third base.

The breakdown of the National League All-Star team, Piniella and President Bill White have decided, will consist of nine infielders; six outfielders, three catchers, and 10 pitchers.

The catchers will be Santiago, Mike Scioscia of the Dodgers and Craig Biggio of the Astros.

The pitching staff still is undecided, although Piniella is leaning toward Tom Browning of the Reds to start the game.

The outfield situation largely depends on whether Darryl Strawberry of the Dodgers rejects the starting assignment and whether Kevin Mitchell of the Giants is elected.

The coaching staff will consist of Jackie Moore, Sam Perlozzo and Stan Williams of the Reds; Manager Jim Leyland of the Pirates; and an undetermined National League West manager.

Although it’s no secret that Padre outfielder Shawn Abner wants to be traded quickly as possible, Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, said he still has no prospective buyers.

“I haven’t explored it too much,” McIlvaine said. “I really don’t want to trade him, to tell you the truth. If some teams want to offer me a lot for him, I’ll talk about trading. But I’m not going to give him away.

“It’s hard to develop players.”

The best scenario, McIlvaine said, would be to send Abner to triple-A Las Vegas. Yet, because Abner is out of options, McIlvaine is afraid some team will claim him.

“I’d really like to send him down so he can play every day,” McIlvaine said, “but I don’t know if we can take that chance of passing him through (waivers).”

So, in the meantime, Abner sits, and waits.

“To tell you the truth,” Abner said, “I can’t believe I’m still here.”

The Padres still have not decided who will start Saturday against the San Francisco Giants, and might not make a decision until Friday. Ed Whitson and Adam Peterson each threw on the side Wednesday, preparing for the starts. The likely scenario, however, is that Whitson will start Saturday, Peterson will go to the bullpen, and rookie Tim Scott will return to Las Vegas. . . . Tommy Helms, former Reds player, coach and manager, who was not invited back for the old timers’ game Sunday in Cincinnati, blames majority owner Marge Schott for his exclusion. “I didn’t think I was treated fairly back then,” he said, “and she wasn’t going to make a wimp out of me. I guess that’s the way she does things. When she gets rid of somebody, if she can do something to hurt them, she will.” . . . Reds outfielder Eric Davis will come off the disabled list today, and be in the starting lineup, Piniella said. . . . Reds outfielder Glenn Braggs found a bulletproof vest hanging in his locker, a gift from Dan Katt, a Cincinnati policeman who doubles as a batting practice pitcher. Katt gave Braggs the vest to protect himself from the Riverfront Stadium wall, which has no padding. . . . The Padres will conclude their trip today with a 9:30 a.m. (PST) start today. Jose Melendez (3-2) and Jack Armstrong (4-6) are the scheduled starters. The Padres return home to begin a three-game series Friday against the San Francisco Giants.

PADRES AT A GLANCE

THIRD INNING

Reds--Scudder led off and homered, his first. Hatcher flied to right. Duncan homered to right, his second. Larkin singled to right. Sabo walked. Larkin stole third, Sabo stole second, Larkin scoring on catcher Santiago’s throwing error, Sabo taking third. Braggs bounced to third, Sabo scoring. Jones struck out. Four runs (three earned), three hits, one error. Reds 4, Padres 0.

FOURTH INNING

Padres--Gwynn led off and reached first on infield single to first. McGriff homered to center, his 15th. Clark walked. Santiago struck out. Teufel flied to right. Howard flied to center. Two runs, two hits, one left. Reds 4, Padres 2.

SEVENTH INNING

Reds--Larkin led off and singled to center. Larkin reached second on second baseman Faries’ fielding error. Sabo doubled to left, Larkin scoring. Braggs grounded to second, Sabo taking third. Rodriguez relieved Scott. Doran doubled to left, Sabo scoring. Winningham pinch-ran for Doran. Winningham caught stealing. Benzinger grounded to shortstop. Two runs (one earned), three hits. Reds 6, Padres 2.