PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Bilardello to Get Start Thursday

Padre backup catcher Dann Bilardello was summoned into Manager Greg Riddoch’s office Monday and got the news he eagerly awaited.

He’s going to be in the starting lineup on Thursday against the New York Mets, making his first start since April 26. Matter of fact, he has not even appeared in a game since that date, some 19 games ago.

“I got pretty excited,” Bilardello said, “until I found out there was a catch. Sid Fernandez is pitching.”

What’s so horrifying about facing Fernandez, considering the Mets staff also has David Cone, Bret Saberhagen and Dwight Gooden?

“Have youy ever seen my numbers against him,” Bilardello asked. “I’m zero for nine off him with eight strikeouts. I swear, of all the swings I’ve taken off him, I’ve made contact twice. I fouled off two pitches and popped one up to second.

“Oh well, I guess I’m due, right?”

Mets pitcher Bret Saberhagen will miss his scheduled start Wednesday becuase of an inflamed index finger. He was examined Monday in New York, and the Mets fear that it’s a strained tendon.

“I really think he should miss one start,” cracked Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager. “That way, he’ll be fine for everyone else.”

Jim Ferguson, Padre public relations director, found himself in a dilemma Monday morning when it was time to submit the Padres’ entry for the Player of the Week. When you have the top four players in the lineup batting .413 in the last nine games, whom do you pick?

“I called in, and said, ‘Listen, I’ve got a gimmick for you,’ ” Ferguson said. “I gave all four names. Katy (Feeney, National League public relations director) said, ‘What are you going to do, nominate your whole team?’

Ferguson studied the numbers, and finally said, ‘Well, let me give you two names then, and you pick.’ ”

He nominated Tony Gwynn and Tony Fernandez. Gwynn batted .481 for the week with eight RBIs and a .533 on-base percentage. Fernandez batted .444 with six RBIs and a .500 on-base percentage.

St. Louis Cardinal outfielder Felix Jose ended up winning the award, anyway, batting .435 with two homers and 10 RBIs.

Injury Update: Second baseman Kurt Stillwell missed his fifth consecutive start with tendinitis in his wrist. “I should be all right in a day or two,” Stillwell said, “but I’m tired of keeping having to say that.” . . . Reliever Larry Andersen, who’s on the disabled list with a bruised forearm, pitched off the mound for the first time in 10 days. He threw about 80% and said he felt no pain. . . . Starter Dave Eiland, on the disabled list with a strained back also threw off the mound. He start a rehabilitative assignment in the minor leagues when he’s fully recovered.

The Gooden and Gary Sheffield families ventured out West to witness the latest round of the family rivalry. Sheffield’s parents and grandparents are staying at his home after staying at Gooden’s house in New York. “It’s so nice out here,” Sheffield joked, “they may never leave.” . . . Mike Lord, the Padres’ eye-in-the-sky scout, couldn’t believe his eyes when he read the morning paper. Randy Pfund not only was hired as coach of the Lakers, but he received $2.2 million over four years. “We were coaches at Westmont College together,” Lord said. “He was the assistant basketball coach. I was the head baseball coach. I nearly fell off my chair when I read that. Wow! He probably wonders where I went wrong.”