PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : Seminara Ready to Show Padres He Doesn’t Know Meaning of Fear

Frank Seminara isn’t predicting stardom. He’s not saying he’ll be the immediate answer to the Padre fifth-starter’s woes.

He says he will not be scared today when he makes his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs.

Not Seminara, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and a Columbia graduate.

“I don’t get scared about anything,” said Seminara, 25, who will be attempting to become the first pitcher to win as the Padres’ fifth starter this season. “I’m just going to keep doing the same things that got me here. I’m not changing anything.

“I now it’s a different level, and better hitters, but that’s nothing to be afraid about.”

Seminara has about 15 friends and family members who are coming to town for the game, including his parents and best friend from college.

He was more worried about renting a car for his family than he was about facing the Cubs.

“That’s Frank,” said Jon Matlack, Las Vegas pitching coach. “There’s a certain amount of cockiness there. When he’s on the mound, he presents the aura of cockiness, confidence and being in control what he’s doing.”

Said Seminara, who was 5-2 at Las Vegas this season: “When I was younger, the thought of going to the big leagues would have been a bit shock into my system. Not now. Really, I think I’m going to be fine.

“There’s no doubt in my mind.”

To make room for Seminara on the roster, the Padres have sent reliever Tim Scott back to Las Vegas.

Padre starter Greg Harris, who has been bothered by back spasms, came back to San Diego on Monday to have specialists examine his back. X-rays showed no structural damage to his back.

His next scheduled start is Saturday against the Atlanta Braves.

Padre catcher Benito Santiago was examined Monday by Dr. Jan Fronek, orthopedist specialist, and was told that he would need to keep the splint on his broken finger for 10 days. He’ll then undergo further X-rays. He might be given permission to begin rehabilitation.

Padre reliever Larry Andersen, who’s at Class A High Desert on a rehabilitative assignment, is getting closer to returning to the majors. He pitched two shutout innings, yielding one hit and striking out four.

Andersen threw again Monday at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium without pain, and it’s possible he could be activated before the Padres go on the road again June 12.

Several Padres were talking about visiting Milwaukee after today’s game.

Third baseman Gary Sheffield, swarmed by Milwaukee reporters before the game, wants to see a few former teammates.

First baseman Fred McGriff wants to see Detroit’s Cecil Fielder, McGriff’s former teammate in Toronto.

And left fielder Jerald Clark wants to see his brother, Phil Clark, who was just called up to the Tigers.

Said Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn upon spotting Milwaukee reporters to interview Sheffield: “I just want to thank ya’ll for bagging Sheffield so much that you drove him out of the city. From the bottom of our hearts, ‘Thank you.’ ”

The Cubs, who certainly have had their share of woes this season, found themselves without a single left-hander in the bullpen.

Left-hander Ken Patterson joined lefty Paul Assenmacher on the disabled list Monday with a strained left shoulder. And fellow lefty reliever Chuck McElroy will miss the series to attend the funeral of his stepfather, who died Sunday.

Worse for the Cubs, cleanup hitter Andre Dawson was scratched minutes before the game with spasms in his left knee. He was replaced by Doug Dascenzo, who entered the game with no homers and two RBIs. Dawson has seven homers and 32 RBIs.

Just what kind of season is Cubs starter Danny Jackson having?

He not only is winless since June 14, 1991, with an 0-7 record this season, but he leads all major league pitchers with five errors.