PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Andersen Worried That Tests Aren’t Showing Whole Story

Despite the Padres’ optimism that reliever Larry Andersen will be able to start the season, he revealed Sunday that the injury to his right shoulder might be much worse than expected.

Andersen has been diagnosed with an inflamed right shoulder, and a magnetic resonance imaging test indicated a sound rotator cuff. Yet Andersen is fearful there’s undetected damage to his shoulder.

“I’m definitely concerned,” said Andersen, who was given a cortisone shot Thursday. “I shouldn’t keep feeling like this. Usually, the cortisone shot has taken effect by now. I should be pain-free, but I still feel it.”

Andersen then gently pulled his right arm and winced in pain.

“See what I mean,” he said. “That shouldn’t happen.”

Andersen, who sustained the injury last week simply lobbing a baseball to teammate Mike Maddux, originally was supposed to begin throwing again today. Persistent pain has forced him to scrap those plans.

“I’m anxious to see what happens,” he said. “I know I’m not supposed to throw again until there’s no pain, but I want to see what’s wrong. I want to know the answers right now.

“I just want something to get rid of this pain. I’ll take agent orange, if that’s what it takes.

“It’s just very, very frustrating right now.”

The Padres are engaged in serious trade negotiations with the Cleveland Indians in an attempt to deal third baseman Craig Worthington to Cleveland for minor-league prospects.

The Indians are the only team, McIlvaine has found, which is interested in Worthington. He became expendable, of course, after the acquisition of Gary Sheffield.

The Indians are in need of a third baseman because Jim Thome, who was scheduled to start, will begin the season on the disabled list because of a sprained right wrist.

If the trade is not consummated, according to a source in the organization, Worthington could be released as early as Tuesday.

The deadline by which all contracts become guaranteed for the season is 11 a.m. (PST) Tuesday, and the Padres could save themselves about $175,000 if they release Worthington. Worthington, however, would still have to be paid about $60,000 of his $235,000 contract.

Sheffield stole the show in his first start with the Padres on Sunday, going two for four with an RBI and a run scored, while also making a dazzling defensive play.

“I tell you, the guy looks great,” said Merv Rettenmund, Padre batting coach. “He hits the ball as hard as the top third-hitters in the major leagues. And he should improve.

“It’s really hard to know what to expect right now because he played in only 50 games last year. It was like he had a year off. But he’s something.”

Said Sheffield: “It was great to get that first one out of the way. I was able to hit, run and score, everything I wanted to do. Now, I can just relax and play baseball.”

Sheffield also was impressive defensively, going far to his left on a hopper by Mike Fitzgerald, spinning, and throwing him out by a step and a half.

“Did you see that?” Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said. “That was a tough play, and he made it look easy.”

After the game, Doc Mattei, Padre traveling secretary, walked past Padre first baseman Fred McGriff and said, “How does it feel to be the second-best player from Tampa on the team now?”

Everyone laughed, and McGriff didn’t even put up an argument.

Padre starter Andy Benes was not thrilled with his performance Sunday in his longest “A” game stint of the spring, but he said he’ll be ready when the season opens. Benes, who gave up five hits and one earned run in five innings, now is scheduled to start the third game of the season in Cincinnati. The rotation will be: Bruce Hurst, Greg Harris, Benes, Craig Lefferts and either Dave Eiland or Mark Knudson. “I haven’t got into my comfort zone with what I’m doing yet,” Benes said. “But there’s no doubt I’ll be ready. No doubt. The competitive nature will take over.” . . . Padre catcher Benito Santiago hit a line drive over the bullpen fence during batting practice that hit a fan in the eye. The cut required six stitches. . . . Sheffield made his first request of the Padres. He has asked to wear No. 10 this season instead of the No. 8 he’s wearing in spring training. His first choice is No. 11, but it belongs to Lefferts. . . . Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn was able to take batting practice Sunday with his ailing left thumb, but Riddoch said he probably will hold him out of the Angels series for precautionary reasons. . . . Lefferts is the scheduled starter at 1:05 p.m. today in the second of four games against the Angels.