PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Defensive Skills Make Bilardello a Valuable Commodity at Catcher

Padre catcher Dann Bilardello doesn’t pretend to be a potent offensive force. He doesn’t even claim to be an everyday catcher. But if you start to compare catchers’ defensive prowess, Bilardello will stack his game against anyone’s.

“My ability to call a game and handling pitchers at this level is second to none,” Bilardello said. “I’m confident I can do the job. Obviously, I don’t know what’s going to happen to (Benito Santiago), but I’d like to think I can at least platoon next year.

“I know I’m capable of doing it.”

While Bilardello is batting only .200 in a limited role this season, his defensive abilities and intensity have won over the Padre coaching staff and front office. He also has become the pitching staff’s best friend.

When Bilardello has been behind the plate this season, the Padre pitching staff has a remarkable 1.31 ERA. When he isn’t in the game, the staff’s ERA is 3.80.

“This isn’t to take anything away from Benny or anyone else,” Padre starter Greg Harris said, “but I love throwing to that guy. You just feel so comfortable on the mound with him.”

Said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager: “It’s been that way everywhere he’s been. Pitchers just love throwing to him. He’s a very good chemistry guy to have on the ballclub. He’s a winner.”

Padre reliever Larry Andersen, who has a herniated disk and bulging disk in his neck, will be taken off the disabled list Monday, McIlvaine said.

“I feel good enough to pitch again,” Andersen said. “But I tell you what, if I have to go through this again next year, they’re going to have to put me in a psychiatric ward.

How chaotic has the Padres’ season been?

They have used a franchise-record 48 players, and they have yet to go more than 15 days without making a roster move.

If you think the Padres are in the midst of a long drought without winning a division title, consider the history of the Cleveland Indians, who were eliminated from the American League East race Wednesday night.

The Indians have now gone 37 years without winning a division title, the fifth-longest span in major league history.

The others?

The St. Louis Browns: 43 years, 1901-1943; the Chicago Cubs: 38 years, 1946-1983; the Chicago White Sox: 39 years, 1920-1958; and the Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics: 39 years, 1932-1970

Toronto Blue Jay Manager Cito Gaston, a former Padre, will be out until at least Sept. 18 with back problems. Gene Tenace, another former Padre, is 11-6 as Toronto’s interim manager.

The Cincinnati Reds still are trying to decide whether to pick up the option on former Padre Carmelo Martinez’s contract for $900,000 next season.

Martinez, who has played for three different teams this season, is batting .232 with four homers and 11 RBIs for the Reds this season.

Cincinnati Reds Manager Lou Piniella wonders why managers even bother seeking a contract extension longer than one year. When his three-year contract expires at the end of the 1992 season, he said, he’ll work only on a year-to-year basis.

“If an organization isn’t happy with you, why be around?” Piniella said. “If you’re talented enough in your field, and other people recognize it, there will be other opportunities. I don’t need job security.

“I’m not saying that to be pompous or smart, I just think that’s the best way.”

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Piniella owns four restaurants, a Cadillac dealership and a marketing company.

If the Padres think they have a lot of ex-Padres wandering in the major leagues, just think how the Cleveland Indians must feel with the Toronto Blue Jays in town for a weekend series.

The Blue Jays have six former Indians who’ll be playing in the series: Joe Carter, Tom Candiotti, Pat Tabler, Cory Snyder, Candy Maldonado and Turner Ward.

Padre starter Ed Whitson pitched without pain again Saturday, and said he might be available the final two weeks of the season if the Padres are in the pennant race. “Hey, if they need me,” Whitson said, “they can count on me.” . . . The Padres have a rare Sunday off today because of San Diego State’s football game at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. They’ll travel to Houston for the start of a three-city, seven-game trip. The scheduled pitching matchups for the Houston series: Andy Benes (11-10) vs. Mark Portugal (10-7) at 5:35 p.m. Monday; and Dennis Rasmussen (5-11) vs. Jim Deshaies (5-12) at 5:35 p.m. Tuesday.