PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Padres are Attemptin to Trade Slumping Clark for a Left Fielder

The Padres, according to two major-league executives, have begun to shop left fielder Jerald Clark and any of their relievers in an attempt to find an everyday left fielder.

Clark was kept out of the starting lineup again Sunday, and has started only two games since June 6. He is batting only .185 this season and has not been above .200 since April 15. He hasn’t had a home run since April 27, spanning 126 at-bats.

The Padres would love to get Atlanta left fielder Lonnie Smith on waivers, but the Braves are reluctant to release Smith. They instead have been shopping him, hoping to obtain at least a prospect as well as ridding themselves of the remainder of his $1.7-million contract.

Yet, it’s Smith’s contract that would make the Padres look in another direction. Even though the Braves have paid nearly half his salary, the Padres don’t want to pick up another $900,000 on their payroll.

“I think people are expecting us to release Lonnie,” Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox said, “and that’s just not going to happen. He’s a valuable player to us, and for a lot of teams. What a competitor.”

Padre starter Greg Harris, who’s scheduled to come off the disabled list and start Tuesday against the Houston Astros, felt discomfort in his back once again Sunday while pitching on the side.

“I’m going to do everything I can to make the start,” Harris said, “but I don’t know if I can. (Today’s) the big test. I’m hoping the soreness will go away, but I want to be honest with them. I don’t want to make the start and have to go back on the DL.

“I just have to decide if I can make the start, or if it would be better to have five more days on the DL to make sure I’m fully recovered.”

If Harris is activated for Tuesday’s start, it’s possible they will make room for him on the roster by releasing outfielder Gary Pettis and go with a 12-man pitching staff. Pettis has been a bitter disappointment to the Padres, batting .160 without a run or an RBI.

Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn talking about the resurgence of Atlanta third baseman Terry Pendleton, who has become one of the premier players in the National League.

“To me, he’s like Ozzie (Smith),” Gwynn said. “He could always hit, but as his career progressed, he got more aggressive at the plate. You look at him now, and he’s swinging at pitches I’ve never seen him swing at in his life. And he’s hitting them.”

Said John Schuerholz, Atlanta general manager: “He’s been remarkable, truly remarkable. I can’t say enough for what he’s done for this team.”

Pendleton entered Sunday’s game batting .321 with 11 homers and 43 RBIs. He has 27 RBIs ion his last 34 games.