PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Two Shutouts Later, Hurst Feels Happier About San Diego

It’s a sensitive subject that the Padres are reluctant to address, and Padre starter Bruce Hurst won’t even discuss it. It probably is a moot point now, anyway.

But until Hurst pitched consecutive shutouts--including Monday’s one-hitter over the New York Mets--the marriage between Hurst and the Padres was on the rocks.

Hurst, ever so discreetly, made overtures in recent private meetings with Padre management that he wanted to be traded.

Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, hoped all along it was was nothing more than a fleeting phase of anger by Hurst. He believed it was the pitcher’s way of venting frustration.

Considering the way Hurst is pitching these days, the Padres also realize they would be out of their minds if they traded him.

Hurst declined comment when asked about his trade request. Nor would he say whether he wanted to be traded because of his unhappiness with the organization, or out of frustration with his own performance.

However, he did confirm that he had several private conversations with McIlvaine about his future with the organization.

“I had a couple of meetings with Joe, but they were private and will stay that way,” Hurst said. “It’s going to stay between us. The rest is pure speculation.”

McIlvaine believes Hurst was disillusioned because of his earlier performances--1-3 with a 4.81 ERA in his first seven starts--and any ideas of wanting to be traded have since become moot.

“Bruce was just frustrated,” McIlvaine said. “That’s a regular thing for pitchers. There’s not a time in your career when you don’t question yourself. A lot of players say things in the heat of the moment, the emotion of the moment, and forget about it three weeks later.”

In fact, Hurst asked Jack McKeon to trade him during the 1990 season after he blew a five-run lead in Philadelphia. McKeon left the field as manager two months later, and the subject never arose again.

“He was going through a mental slump (this time),” McIlvaine said,. “It was a very low period for him. In his mind, he was pitching so poorly, he thought maybe he would be better off somewhere else.

“I didn’t take him that seriously, but maybe in his own mind he was.”

One general manager, who requested anonymity, said he was informed Hurst was being made available for the right price. But considering that Hurst and Andy Benes have been the Padres’ only consistent starters, McIlvaine probably would resist any trade temptations. He realizes Hurst’s experience would be invaluable if they remain in the pennant race.

“Sure, we could trade Bruce,” McIlvaine said, “but you just can’t replace 12 years of experience. Those are the guys who come to the forefront.

“It’ll be a continuing dialogue between us. You can’t just pick up the phone amd make a trade. He’s got a very healthy contract, and it’s not easy to trade someone like that. Non-contending teams certainly are not going to trade for him.”

Hurst is on the first year of a three-year contract extension that will pay him $2.75 million this year, $2.75 million in 1993, and he has a $3 million option with a $400,000 buyout in 1994.

Hurst also has a stipulation in his contract that only allows the Padres to trade him to 14 clubs without his approval. McIlvaine said Hurst might waive his no-trade rights to a few of the teams.

“I think the way he’s pitching now will put an end to it,” McIlvaine said. “It’s that when he was struggling, it really eat him up. We’ll keep talking and see what happens.

“Really, I think it was just a case of him being frustrated.”

Mets starter Bret Saberhagen was diagnosed Tuesday morning with tendinitis of his right index finger and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. He’s eligible to return May 31, and his spot on the roster will be filled by outfielder Rodney McCray.

“We’re relieved that with a little rest Bret should be able to pitch without any discomfort for the remainder of the year,” said Al Harazin, Mets general manager.

Saberhagen was going to put his Kansas City home on the market at the end of the season, but he already has found a buyer. Teammate David Cone, who started Tuesday, already has worked out a deal to buy it. Cone will give the home to his brother, who lives in Kansas City. “It’ll give me a place to stay when I go there,” Cone said. . . . McIlvaine wishes he had such friends. He still has not been able to sell his New York home. . . . Mets outfielder Bobby Bonilla, who has been struggling with a .222 batting average, talking about his home run shot that barely went foul in Monday’s game: “When you’re hitting .320, it’s a homer. When you’re hitting .220, it’s a foul ball.” . . . Padre second baseman Kurt Stillwell missed his sixth consecutive game because of soreness in his right wrist and probably will be out for a few more days. He underwent a cortisone shot Tuesday to relieve the pain. . . . Dave Eiland, who’s on the disabled list, is scheduled to pitch in a simulated game Friday. . . . Mets starter Dwight Gooden reached 90 m.p.h. only six times in his outing Monday, averaging 86 to 87, according to scouts.