PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Jackson Raises Offensive Output, And That Could Mean a Big Raise

Although nearly four months remain before players are eligible to file for salary arbitration, Alan Meersand, the agent for Darrin Jackson, can barely contain his enthusiasm.

“Tell them I’m preparing the case right now,” Meersand said, laughing. “I can hardly wait.”

Jackson, who earned $260,000 this season, is expected to receive perhaps the largest percentage raise in Padre arbitration history. Although it’s premature to know what Jackson will command, he is expected to receive at least $900,000, if not become the newest Padre millionaire.

That’s what happens when you go from a journeyman outfielder to one of the top home-run hitters in the league. Jackson, who until two months ago was not an everyday player, has hit 20 homers this season--an average of one homer every 15.9 at-bats.

He also has opened the eyes of the Padre front office, which is considering him to be the starting center fielder in 1992. Although the Padres thought Jackson would be unable to hit right-handed pitchers effectively, Jackson is batting .251 with nine homers and 19 RBIs against right-handers this season. He is batting .260 with 11 homers and 25 RBIs against lefties.

“When’s the last time you’ve seen an outfielder with 300 at-bats and have 20 home runs?” Meersand said. “I can’t wait to see Tal Smith (the Padres’ chief negotiator) explain this one in the hearings.

“It’s funny, John Barr (Padre assistant general manager) recently called me and said, ‘Now, don’t price him out of the market.’ I said, ‘Now, John, don’t pull any of that Merrill Lynch bull on me.’ ”

Barr used to be a financial planner for Merrill Lynch.

But times indeed have changed. A year ago, Meersand made sure that Jackson’s contract was settled before arbitration hearings. Now, it’s open season.

“We didn’t want to go to arbitration last year because he was a fifth outfielder, just fighting for a job on the club,” Meersand said. “Now, he’s earned the right to be their starting center fielder.”

Since Aug. 25, Jackson has eight homers in his past 108 at-bats. The only National League player who has hit more in the past month is Howard Johnson of the New York Mets, who hit 11 of his 37 homers.

“It’s been a special year,” Jackson said. “I’d still prefer not to go to arbitration, but I’d like to be treated fairly, too.”

Padre starter Ed Whitson, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow July 15, will be activated today and could pitch out of the bullpen as early as Sunday.

“You better believe it feels good to be back,” said Whitson, after pitching on the side before Wednesday’s game. Now, I can show people I’m all right. If not here, somewhere else.

“It’ll be good for me, too, because I don’t want to wonder during the winter if I can do it again. I just want to prove to myself I can air it out without pain.

“It’d be nice to have pinpoint control, but I’m not going to worry about that. I’m just going to throw fastballs.”

Whitson hopes that returning early also will help persuade the Padre to pick up his $1-million option for 1992. The Padres have until Oct. 31 to exercise the option, which is expected to be a formality.

Padre starter Dennis Rasmussen, who is eligible for free agency at the season’s conclusion, is being skipped in the rotation and will start Tuesday in his final start of the season.

Rasmussen, in fact, was in the bullpen Wednesday. He has not pitched in relief since 1987 when he was with the New York Yankees.

“I don’t like it,” said Rasmussen, who is 6-12 with a 3.67 ERA, “but then again, I understand it, too.”

The Padres want to keep Andy Benes, Ricky Bones and Greg Harris pitching on their regular four days rest, and will juggle their rotation to keep it intact.

The Padres have scheduled Harris, Jose Melendez and Bones as their starters in the Cincinnati Reds’ series beginning Friday. The Padres then will come back with Benes, Rasmussen and Harris as their starters for next week’s three-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said Wednesday that it’s highly doubtful Bruce Hurst (tender left elbow) will return by the season’s conclusion.

“It doesn’t look real good,” Riddoch said. “Why throw him back out there and take even a remote chance of doing something to hurt his arm?”

How badly do the Padres need another power hitter in their lineup?

The Padres have had fewer than two extra-base hits in a whopping 57 games this season, including 12 of their past 26 games.

Stat corner: The Padres have stolen nine bases in their past three games, after stealing only nine bases in their previous 27 games. . . . The Padres lead the league in strikeouts with 992 and grounding into double plays with 113. . . . Third baseman Jack Howell, who’s in a two-for-36 slump (.055), was kept out of the starting lineup Wednesday against Dodger left-hander Bob Ojeda. . . . Padre outfielder Jerald Clark, who switched lockers Sunday and now is next to Tony Gwynn, is in a two-for-29 slump.