PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Santiago Lists Desired Destinations

Padre catcher Benito Santiago said he has yet to hear from general manager Joe McIlvaine on his request to be traded, but if he asks, Santiago has a list of teams he would want to play for next season.

Santiago’s top choices, he said, are the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox and Angels.

“I think any team that would trade for me would want me to sign a long-term contract before I became a free agent (after the 1992 season),” Santiago said. “I’d like to play where I’m appreciated.”

Padre Manager Greg Riddoch spoke informally with Santiago by the batting cage Monday afternoon. At that time, Santiago reiterated his desire to be traded this winter.

“He told me if we didn’t sign him,” Riddoch said, “he would want to be traded. That’s none of my business.

“I just told him to refocus, play as hard as possible and try to create positive things for himself whether the people upstairs sign him, or someone else has interest.”

Santiago’s trade request will not affect his playing time, Riddoch said, and Santiago will continue to play virtually every day the remainder of the season.

“He’ll play as often as he wants,” Riddoch said. “He’s our No. 1 guy (catcher), and that’s going to continue.”

Padres reliever Larry Andersen, who ripped Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda for stepping out of the dugout two weeks ago and acting as a cheerleader agasint the Padres, found a humorous surprise awaiting him Monday at his locker.

There was a hand-written note, along with a blue pom-pon, taped to Andersen’s locker.

“Larry, rooting for a quick recovery.

RAH-RAH.

Love, Tommy and the “Kid.”

The kid is a reference to catcher Gary Carter.

Padres starter Ed Whitson, who underwent arthroscopic surgery July 15 on his right elbow, is scheduled to pitch batting practice Wednesday for the first time since his surgery.

“I’d like to see him come back before the end of the year,” Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said, “if he’s ready to come back.”

Said Whitson: “Hell, I feel better now than since I had surgery, or before I had surgery. I’m actually getting some pop in my fastball, and my slider’s working good. I still wish they would tell me what they’re doing (with his contract). That would make it a hell of a lot easier.”

Although sources indicate that the Padres will pick up Whitson’s option for $1 million next season, Whitson still hasn’t been told of the front office’s decision.

Padres right fielder Tony Gwynn, who had fluid drained and a cortisone shot in his left knee, wore his uniform and walked out with a bat to the batting cage Monday afternoon, ready to take batting practice.

Sorry, Gwynn was ordered back to the bench by the coaching staff. There will be no batting practice until at least Wednesday.

“I gave it a try,” Gwynn said, shrugging his shoulders, “but they wouldn’t let me get close to the cage.”

Gwynn is hopeful of taking batting practice Wednesday, and returning Thursday to the lineup.

The Padres are expected to call up relief pitchers Pat Clements and Atlee Hammaker today, and reliever John Costello from triple-A Las Vegas.

Clements and Hammaker each have been on the disabled most of the season, and the Padres want to determine if they will invite them to spring training next season.

It was the 29-year anniversary Monday of Cubs starter Milt Pappas’ no-hitter Sept. 2, 1972 against the Padres at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs have not been involved in a no-hitter since, a span of 3,014 games. They are the only National League team to avoid being no-hit since divisional play began in 1969.

Cubs reliever Chuck McElroy is on the verge of becoming the first rookie reliever in Cubs history to finish a season with an ERA of less than 2.00.

McElroy, who has made 56 appearances this season, has a 1.84 ERA, striking out 77 batters in 83 1/3 innings. The last rookie starter to pitch at least 50 innings with a sub-2.00 ERA was Speed Martin in 1918, who had a 1.84 ERA in five starts spanning 53 1/3 innings.

Padre second baseman Bip Roberts, recovering from surgery on his left knee, took ground balls for the first time in the infield and also took batting practice. Although he’s fine batting left-handed, he’s having difficulty batting right-handed. The Padres are hopeful of his return within a week. . . . Former slugger Darrell Evans stopped by batting practice Monday to visit with the Cubs and Padres. He recently moved to Rancho Santa Fe. . . . The Padres have changed the time of their game Friday against the Cardinals to 7:35 p.m. to accomodate ESPN. . . .The Padres will play the second game of their three-game series against the Cubs at 7:05 p.m. today. Andy Benes (10-10) and Greg Maddux (11-8) are the scheduled starters. . . . Jeremy Hernandez made his major league debut by pitching a hitless ninth inning.