PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Bonds Keeps His Eye on Gwynn to Get Some Crucial Batting Tips

Pittsburgh Pirate left fielder Barry Bonds says much of his hitting success can be attributed to studying Padre Tony Gwynn, a four-time batting champion.

“I watch films of Tony. I study Tony. I watch everything he does,” Bonds said. “I’ve always admired him. I just love to watch him swing.

“And I also like to play games with him.”

Bonds, knowing how Gwynn loves to slap hits into left field, plays shallow when Gwynn’s at the plate, daring him to hit one over his head.

“I want to let him know I’m out there, “ Bonds said. “If he’s going to beat me, he’s going to have to beat me with one over my head. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him keep hitting singles in front of me.

“You’re not going to make me look like a bad outfielder. No way.”

Gwynn, for the record, said he has managed to hit only one ball over Bonds’ head since he entered the league.

The Padres announced that they will send starter Dave Eiland out on a 30-day rehabilitation assignment Wednesday to triple-A Las Vegas if he passes a physical today. Eiland, who has been on the disabled list with a strained back, is 0-2 this season with a 7.00 ERA. He will be examined by Dr. Roger Thorne, a back specialist.

The proud man in the Padre broadcast booth Monday night was Rick Monday, whose son, Michael, signed a professional contract Sunday night with the Angels.

Michael Monday, who’s a catcher, was drafted last year by the Angels and signed before today’s deadline for retaining his rights.

Rick Monday was the first player selected in the history of the major league draft in 1965 by the Kansas City Athletics.

For the first time, city officials in Yuma, Ariz., have become publicly worried about their chances of retaining the Padres for spring training. Although they say the Padres would be making a huge mistake by moving, they’re convinced the Padres will leave Yuma for Peoria, Ariz., if city officials there can receive approval on funding for a new stadium. Yet, there are no guarantees Peoria won’t run into the same financial stumbling blocks that knocked Sun City, Ariz., out of contention. . . . Padre reliever Larry Andersen pitched on the side Monday with little pain, and the Padres now are just hoping he’ll be able to return before the All-Star break. . . . Padre bullpen stopper Randy Myers will have company on the free-agent market this year. Dennis Eckersley of the Oakland Athletics and Todd Worrell of the St. Louis Cardinals also are potential free agents.