NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Melendez Expected to Replace Peterson in Starting Rotation

Although the Padres have yet to announce a decision, they’re expected to reinsert Jose Melendez into the starting rotation and put Adam Peterson into the bullpen.

Melendez, 3-3 with a 4.12 ERA in six starts before going into the bullpen June 28, has allowed no runs and only 10 hits in nine relief appearances, spanning 18 2/3 innings. He’s expected to start Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds, who are scheduled to start Kip Gross.

“We’ll make a decision in the next couple of days,” said Mike Roarke, Padre pitching coach. “If we do make a change, Melendez is the guy we’ll go to.”

Said Melendez: “They haven’t said anything to me yet. I’ll do whatever they want me to do, but I prefer starting. That’s where I’d like to be.”

Peterson is 0-3 with a 10.80 ERA in his past four starts, yielding 20 hits in 13 1/3 innings. He hasn’t won a game since June 24.

“In fairness to Adam, he’s only been pitching once every 10 days because of our schedule,” Roarke said. “But, of, course, there are lots of fifth starters who have to do the same.”

Peterson, who was acquired along with reliever Steve Rosenberg from the Chicago White Sox this spring for Joey Cora, blames his erratic performances on his lack of an off-speed pitch. He was throwing a changeup early this season but has begun throwing a split-fingered fastball.

“This is just frustrating as hell,” Peterson said. “I need to develop some off-speed pitch, that’s all there is to it. Everything has been the same speed. I’ll just . . . well, I don’t want to say battling, because I’m tired of battling.

“But I’ll keep going out there.”

Padre catcher Dann Bilardello, whose baserunning blunder Friday cost teammate Tony Gwynn a hit in their 13-3 victory over Atlanta, can not believe the amount of fan mail he has received regarding the incident. Even his family has joined the abuse.

Bilardello’s brother-in-law composed a David Letterman-style list of 10 reasons why Bilardello didn’t go from second to third on Gwynn’s hit to left field with two outs in the eighth inning:

10) Went back to second to look for his jock strap.

9) Wanted to make friends with the Braves in case he played for them this year.

8) In Vegas, there are four outs to an inning.

7) Wanted to make the highlights on “This Weak in Baseball.”

6) Was too tired to think after leaving Madonna’s apartment at 3 a.m. that morning.

5) Third base coach Tom Lampkin (the Padres’ triple-A catcher) signaled there was only one out.

4) His “Schottzie Out Counter” malfunctioned.

3) Wanted to be like his hero, Pee-wee Herman, and get caught with his pants down.

2) Traveled so much lately he just wanted to stay in one place for awhile.

1) Bet Pete Rose that he’d make the last out of an inning.

1) Want to . . . what? We already gave 10 reasons. Oh, I guess we can’t count either!

Said Bilardello: “I can’t believe it. This guy has only been my brother-in-law for about three weeks, and he’s even getting into the act.”