PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Announcement on Riddoch, Staff Could Come as Early as Friday

The decision to formally announce the rehiring of Padre Manager Greg Riddoch and his staff for the 1992 season will be made this weekend--perhaps as early as Friday--according to sources within the organization.

The decision to retain Riddoch was made in early August and reported last month in the Times. Although Padre General Manager Joe McIlvaine refused to confirm the report, a source said Wednesday that the only question was when McIlvaine would announce the decision.

Riddoch and his coaches are scheduled to meet with McIlvaine during their final home stand beginning Friday against the Cincinnati Reds. During that time, they will discuss their contracts.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the job my staff did,” said Riddoch, who spoke Wednesday afternoon with McIlvaine. “The way everything went, I think we would have been shocked if a change was made.

“I think we all feel good about what we’ve accomplished this year, but I really can’t wait until next year because I think we’re going to contend for the title.”

The Padres, who showed against the Dodgers that they have run out of gas, have decided that most of their veteran starters will sit out the rest of the season.

They have definitely decided that catcher Benito Santiago, shortstop Tony Fernandez, left fielder Bip Roberts and most likely first baseman Fred McGriff have started their final games of the season. Fernandez and Roberts have been bothered by various injuries, and Santiago and McGriff have already reached their season goals. Santiago, besides hitting 17 homers and driving in a career-high 86 runs, has played in 150 games. McGriff has driven in a career-high 106 runs.