PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : No Surgery Will Be Necessary on Fernandez’s Right Thumb

Padres, hit hard by injuries all season, finally came upon some good news Tuesday when they learned that shortstop Tony Fernandez’s ailing right thumb will not require surgery during the season.

Fernandez, a switch-hitter who was forced to bat left-handed against left-handed pitcher Terry Mulholland in his final at-bat Sunday, was examined Tuesday by Dr. Merlin Hamer of Scripps Clinic. Surgery was not deemed necessary.

“He has a loose ligament in his thumb,” Padre trainer Bob Day said, “but he’s had it all year. It’s not something they’re going to do surgery on.”

Fernandez said that he originally injured the thumb in August, 1990, while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. The Padres were informed of the injury when he reported to spring training, but kept his injury quiet.

It wasn’t until June when he started feeling discomfort, however. He left games early June 13, June 24 and June 29, before missing his first game of the season June 30. The Padres announced at the time that Fernandez simply was suffering flu-like symptoms and a sore ankle. But Fernandez said the thumb caused him to leave the games.

“It’s been there all season,” Fernandez said, “but it really started bothering me Sunday. It wasn’t when I made contact, but just swinging. Sunday was the worst.”

The thumb doesn’t bother him batting left-handed, he said, only right-handed. There’s pressure on the joint when batting right-handed that apparently will subside only with rest, Day said.

“I’ll be all right,” Fernandez said. “Hopefully, I won’t have to have anything done until at least the off-season.”

Although Fernandez refuses to use the injury as an excuse, he is batting only .167 since June 23. If Fernandez’s injury continues to worsen, Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said the team likely would recall Craig Shipley from triple-A Las Vegas.

The Padres still have not made any progress on the signing of pitcher Joey Hamilton, their No. 1 pick in the June Free Agent draft, although most first-round selections already have signed.

The last time the Padres spoke with Hamilton, who is being advised by agent Scott Boras, Hamilton was told to talk directly with Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager. The parties have not spoken since early June.

“He could be out right now getting experience and acclimating himself to professional baseball,” said John Barr, Padre assistant general manager, “but he has decided to hold off.”

When Hamilton does sign, he is expected to receive between $325,000 to $340,000.

Padre outfielder Shawn Abner, who has been buried on the bench since May, on what he did on his off day: “I sat around all day waiting to get traded.”

Expo Manager Tom Runnells on his student-teacher relationship with Padre Manager Greg Riddoch: “Actually, I think he was my substitute teacher in only two classes. I think it was in machine shop or something. I probably learned how to make ash trays.”

Padre starter Ed Whitson, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow July 16, already is able to raise his arm above his head and began running Tuesday. “I’m going to be back a lot quicker than everyone thinks, that’s for sure,” said Whitson, who predicts his return in late August. . . . Padre reliever Larry Andersen, who’s on the cover this month of Padres magazine, gives his definition of a philosopher: “Someone who learns more and more about less and less until he knows everything about absolutely nothing.” . . . The Padres will play the second game of their three-game series against the Expos at 7:05 p.m. today. Dennis Rasmussen (3-6) and Brian Barnes (1-3) are the scheduled starters. . . . The Padres have changed the starting time of Friday’s game against the New York Mets to 7:35 p.m., once again to accommodate ESPN. . . . Expo starter Dennis Martinez certainly hasn’t had his share of good fortune on the quality of opposition he has faced this season. He has started against six Cy Young winners, four All-Stars on this year’s team and the defending World Series MVP this season. . . . That was ESPN announcer Jerry Reuss taking early batting practice with the Padres, honing his skills for his Sunday baseball league in Pasadena in which he plays first base.