PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Gwynn Experiences Back Pain, But Not Enough to Sideline Him

Right fielder Tony Gwynn, experiencing back pain for the first time in his career Saturday, was forced to miss batting practice, but still talked his way into the lineup.

Gwynn, who along with first baseman Fred McGriff are the only Padres to have played every game this season, was trying to keep his injury a secret. Yet he spent much of the pregame receiving treatment in the training room and winced every time he sat down.

He sustained the injury in his third at-bat Friday night, he said, and the back progressively worsened. He is unsure why his back suddenly stiffened, but he laughed and attributed it to age.

“Believe me, I have a lot of time left in my career,” said Gwynn, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday on Saturday. “But I’m on the downhill side rather than the uphill side.

“I think more in terms of how long before we’ll win it instead of how long I’ll play. I just want to win in the worst way. I think we have a chance this year. I like this club. I like the intensity. It may not always be pretty, but we keep battling.”

Padre starter Craig Lefferts was told Saturday that he might return to the bullpen temporarily, if only for one start.

The Padres will wait until Tuesday before making an announcement, and the decision probably will hinge on the condition of starter Dave Eiland, who has been experiencing back spasms. The Padres, who have two off days on their upcoming 11-game trip, do not want starters Andy Benes, Bruce Hurst and Greg Harris to be pitching on seven days’ rest. The only games the Padres will need either Lefferts or Eiland are May 9 against Philadelphia and May 12 against New York.

“I’ll probably miss just one turn for the sake of the other pitchers,” said Lefferts, who allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings Friday against St. Louis. “You can’t make a starting pitcher go six days without throwing. But I’ll be back in there.

“I feel good about the way I keep improving. I was just a couple of pitches away from throwing an awfully good game ballgame (Friday).

“Every time I go out there, I think I’ll win. I know I’ve improved each time.”

Lefferts is 2-2 with a 5.87 ERA.

“I know I’ve been under a microscope with the media and some of the fans,” he said, “but I know I’m not under a microscope with my teammates.”

Thomas Howard, who vows he will make the Padres regret trading him, is the ex-Padre Player of the Week.

Howard, traded April 14 to the Cleveland Indians, has stolen the show in Cleveland. He’s batting .365 since coming to the Indians, .357 this past week. He has hit safely in 12 of his 13 starts, with seven multiple-hit games.

Howard is also contributing defensively. Even when Glenallen Hill returns from the disabled list, Cleveland Manager Mike Hargrove promises that Howard will remain in the starting lineup.

“Look at what Shane Mack did when he finally was given his chance,” Howard said. “Well, that’s me, too. I just didn’t get along with the manager (Greg Riddoch), but I have my turn now.”

Padre reliever Larry Andersen underwent X-rays on his bruised right forearm after the game Friday, which were negative. Andersen said he has no pain when simply throwing, but feels it when he starts to pitch competitively.

He’ll pitch on the side again today, and if he still is experiencing pain, the Padres might put him on the disabled list retroactive to April 28. He sustained the injury April 27 when Phillies infielder Mariano Duncan hit a drive off his forearm.

The Padres continue to rave about the work of rookie advance scout Steve Lubratich, saying he’s the best they’ve had in years.

“Our reports have been excellent,” Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said. “He’s doing a fantastic job for us.”

Said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager: “What makes him so valuable is that he thinks like a manager. Believe me, he’s giving us more information than we had last year.”

Lubratich, 37, was the Padres’ double-A Wichita manager the past two years.

“I think it gives me an advantage because I managed,” Lubratich said. “There are other guys who have managed, but most of them hadn’t done it in a while. I miss managing, but this is the big leagues, and there’s a big difference.”

Around the basepaths: Cardinal third baseman Todd Zeile is the one of 31 batters faced this season by Mets stopper John Franco to have a hit. . . . While most are conceding that Tom Runnells of Montreal will be the first manager in baseball fired this season, look for the New York Yankees’ Gene Michael to be the first general manager fired. He’ll be replaced by Brian Sabean, director of player development and scouting director. . . . Detroit Tigers Manager Sparky Anderson on his team’s 5.74 ERA entering Saturday: “That means a catcher is not receiving enough balls to even break in his glove.” . . . The Philadelphia Phillies went the entire month of April without a victory from a left-handed starter. Kyle Abbott went 0-4 and Terry Mulholland went 0-3. . . . The Atlanta Braves have seven shutouts, equalling their total of last season. . . . Bret Saberhagen’s first three starts with the New York Mets: 13 innings, 22 hits, 19 earned runs, eight walks, 15 strikeouts, 13.00 ERA. His last two starts: 18 innings, eight hits, one walk, 16 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA. Said Saberhagen: “And I’m supposed to explain that?” . . . The Mets’ $29 million man, Bobby Bonilla, is batting .114 Shea Stadium with no homers and only three RBIs. On the road, he’s batting .381 with two opening-day homers and 11 RBIs. . . . Although Tiger middle infielders Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker are playing their 15th year together, they’ve started only 52.8% of the Tigers’ games during that span. . . . Scouts have been surprised at the bat speed Kevin Mitchell has lost. He still has not hit a home run. . . . Who’s the hottest starter on the planet? Mike Moore of Oakland is 12-1 with a 1.85 ERA in his last 18 starts. His only loss in last 18 starts is a shutout against Roger Clemens, Aug. 26, 1991. . . . Cubs starter Danny Jackson has not won a game since June 14. . . . The Twins have offered Kirby Puckett a four-year contract for $23 million. Puckett simply laughed.