NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Whitson’s Surgery on Elbow Was a Success, Trainer Says

The arthroscopic surgery performed Monday in Birmingham, Ala., to remove a bone spur from Padre starter Ed Whitson’s right elbow went smoothly, according to Padre trainer Bob Day, who talked Tuesday with Dr. James Andrews.

“The bone spur was smoothed out,” said Day. “The rest of the joint looks great. He (Whitson) already has close to full range of motion.”

Whitson is scheduled to leave for San Diego today, and soon will begin his rehabilitative process. Although the Padres are not counting on Whitson to return this season, Andrews said it’s possible Whitson could be back in September.

Padre reliever Pat Clements, who has been on the disabled list since April 25 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder, pitched off the mound Tuesday for the first time in a month.

“It felt great, really great,” Clements said. “I only threw about 65 percent, but I didn’t feel any pain. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer.”

Ron Darling, acquired by the Expos Monday in a trade with the New York Mets, arrived Tuesday in Montreal and will start Saturday against the San Francisco Giants. There still is speculation that Darling soon will be traded to the Cincinnati Reds or Angels. . . . Ed Wallach, he uncle of Expo third baseman Tim Wallach, stopped by the Padre clubhouse Tuesday afternoon to greet reliever Rich Rodriguez. He was Rodriguez’s American Legion coach in El Monte. . . . The Padres have had 16 of their past 26 games decided by one or two runs, with the Padres winning 10 of the games. . . . The Padres will conclude their trip today with a 4:35 p.m. (PST) game against the Montreal Expos. Adam Peterson (3-2) and Dennis Martinez (10-5) are the scheduled starters. . . . The Padres have changed the starting time of their home game Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies to 7:35 p.m. to accommodate ESPN-TV.

PADRES AT A GLANCE

SECOND INNING

Expos--With one out, Galarraga singled to left. Walker doubled to right, Galarraga scoring, Walker taking third on throw. Fitzgerald grounded to shortstop, Walker scoring. Owen grounded to second. Two runs, two hits. Expos 2, Padres 0.

FIFTH INNING

Expos--With two out, Gardner singled to left. Grissom singled to center, Gardner stopping at second. DeShields singled to right, Gardner scoring on catcher Santiago’s fielding error, Grissom taking third. Calderon flied to right. One run (unearned), three hits, one error, two left. Expos 3, Padres 0.

SEVENTH INNING

Padres--Clark led off and singled to left. Santiago grounded to third, Clark forced at second. Teufel singled to center, Santiago scoring on center fielder Grissom’s fielding error, Teufel taking second. Howard grounded to second, Teufel taking third. Stephenson walked. Abner pinch-running for Stephenson. Rojas relieved Gardner. Rojas threw wild pitch, Abner taking second. Roberts walked. Fernandez doubled to right, Teufel, Abner and Roberts scoring. Ruskin relieved Rojas. Gwynn grounded to first. Three runs, three hits, one error, one left. Padres 4, Expos 3.