PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Harris Might Return to Rotation At End of Series With Dodgers

Greg Harris’ long absence from the Padres’ pitching rotation is likely to end Thursday night in the series finale against the Dodgers at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium.

Harris has been on the disabled list since April 22 because of tendinitis in his right elbow. Manager Greg Riddoch wouldn’t commit himself Sunday on Thursday’s starter, but left the door ajar for Harris to replace Jose Melendez in the rotation.

Asked who would pitch Thursday, Riddoch said, “It’s Melendez’s start.” Asked if there might a change, he said, “It’s possible.”

Harris made four starts on rehabilitation assignment, the last Friday night.

“I feel great,” he said. “Everything is back to normal. I’ve had good location and pretty good stuff. I’m eager to get back out there.”

It is assumed that when Harris is activated, Melendez will be returned to Triple-A Las Vegas so that he can continue to start regularly. The Padres don’t want him to pitch in relief.

Melendez’s demotion would be due to a sudden glut of starting pitchers, not because of anything he has or hasn’t done in his six starts as a Padre. He has compiled a 3-3 record and a 4.14 earned run average since being called up from Las Vegas, where he was 7-0.

Ed Whitson returned to the rotation Saturday night, pushing Adam Peterson to the bullpen and Tim Scott back to Las Vegas, and reported no ill effects Sunday.

“I’m fine,” Whitson said. “You always wonder how you’re going to be the next day, but all I’ve got is a sore slider muscle in my forearm. That’s a natural thing caused by snapping off the slider. It’ll go away.”

Three Padre infielders sat out Sunday’s game because of assorted ailments, but all three may be back for the Dodger series opener Tuesday night.

Shortstop Tony Fernandez, who has had the flu, is the best bet to be ready. First baseman Fred McGriff, who has a sore ankle, and second baseman Tim Teufel, who has a groin injury, are listed as day to day.

McGriff, who left the game Saturday night in the sixth inning, said Sunday, “The ankle is swollen a little bit, but it feels better than it did. I kept pressure on it all night by wrapping it real tight. I’m just lucky it isn’t more serious.”

The San Francisco Giants also ran short of infielders Sunday. Third baseman Matt Williams left in the first inning with a bruised left wrist and second baseman Robby Thompson in the sixth with a bruised left kneecap. Williams was hit by one of Andy Benes’ pitches--X-rays proved negative--and Thompson was hurt on an attempted pickoff play when he was on third base. With an extra day for the injuries to heal--Monday is an off day for the Giants as it is for the Padres--neither player is expected to miss a game. . . . Fernandez celebrated his 29th birthday Sunday. . . . End of two Padre droughts: Shawn Abner’s hit as a pinch hitter in the sixth was his first since May 29, and Paul Faries’ RBI in the second was his first since May 18. Abner is now batting .165, Faries .186. . . . Tony Gwynn had a rare zero-for-five day, failing to hit a ball out of the infield. He hit into a double play and grounded out the four other times.