PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Whitson Returning to Rotation, Peterson Moving to the Bullpen

The Padres decided Thursday to activate pitcher Ed Whitson and start him Saturday against the San Francisco Giants, moving Adam Peterson into the bullpen.

The Padres will wait until after Friday’s game to announce who’ll be optioned to triple-A Las Vegas to make room for Whitson, but rookie reliever Tim Scott appears to be the likely candidate.

“I can’t wait to get back,” said Whitson, who has been on the disabled list since May27 with tendinitis in his right elbow. “It’s been tough sitting around, boy. It’s been driving me nuts.”

Although a bit disheartened that he’s leaving the rotation, Peterson (3-1, 2.52 ERA) still was encouraged after his talk with Padre Manager Greg Riddoch.

“I’d prefer starting,” Peterson said, “but the bottom line is I’m staying here and don’t have to go down.”

Said Riddoch: “I told Adam, ‘We thought you’d fill in here and go right back down, but you surprised us. You deserve to stay up here.”’

The Padres also expect to make another roster move early next week when they activate pitcher Greg Harris, who has been out since April23. They are still undecided whether Harris will return as a starter or reliever.

“I think we want him to start,” Riddoch said, “but I’m just not sure if we want him in that role right away.”

According to a front-office source, the Padres have had trade talks with the Chicago White Sox involving center fielder Shawn Abner.

The White Sox have shown an interest in Abner, according to the source, and would want him to play on their big-league team. Yet they will not deal any of their front-line pitching.

Abner, who has not started since May 29 and has only nine at-bats in June, said he’d welcome a trade to any club.

“I just want to play,” Abner said. “I don’t care where. I’m just tired of sitting.”

Padre General Manager Joe McIlvaine confirmed that he has spoken with Ron Schueler, White Sox general manager, but would not divulge any specifics.

The Padres still haven’t been able to reach agreement with pitcher Joey Hamilton, their No. 1 draft pick.

According to sources, Hamilton is seeking a contract worth between $350,000 and $400,000. The Padres have offered about $300,000.

The highest pick in the draft who has signed is 10th pick Tyler Green, who Wednesday signed a $325,000 contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamilton was the eighth pick in the first round.

A radio station in Cincinnati distributed Jeff Reed rubber stamps, enabling fans to stamp the catcher’s name on the All-Star ballot as a write-in candidate.

Reed, who entered the season with a career .227 batting average, is batting .272 this season. In his past 22 starts, he has hit .352 (31 for 88) with 15 RBIs and 11 multiple-hit games.

“I’m playing like everyday is my last day,” he said. “I have to prove I can play.

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn and first baseman Fred McGriff, each of whom appear likely to make the All-Star team, will be a little richer because of it.

Gwynn and McGriff each have incentives in their contracts that will pay them $25,000 apiece for making the team.

Catcher Benito Santiago, who will be voted to the All-Star team, has no All-Star incentive in his contract.

Pitcher Bruce Hurst and shortstop Tony Fernandez also are outside candidates for the All-Star team. Hurst has a $25,000 incentive, but Fernandez has none.

The Padres opened the game with Fernandez and Santiago on the bench, leading infielder Paul Faries to say to Gwynn: “Tony, is this your first ‘B’ game of the year?” . . . Fernandez was expected to be given a complete day off, but Riddoch used him as a pinch-hitter for Scott Coolbaugh with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. He popped up to second baseman Billy Doran, then played the final four innings. . . . Reliever Pat Clements, who’s coming off shoulder surgery, threw on the side for the first time in two weeks and reported that his shoulder felt slightly better.