PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : McGriff, Sheffield to Be All-Stars; Fernandez’s Selection Still Uncertain

Padre first baseman Fred McGriff and third baseman Gary Sheffield will be selected this week to play in their first All-Star game, according to sources close to Atlanta Manager Bobby Cox and National League President Bill White.

McGriff and Sheffield will be announced Thursday as two of the reserves to the National League team, unless, of course, they’re voted to the team. Cox, whose team won the National League pennant last season, and White are responsible for formulating the team once the fan voting is announced Wednesday.

The Padres could have the largest All-Star contingent at the game, which will be played July 14 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, depending on the status of shortstop Tony Fernandez. The Padres are virtually assured of having at least four players at the game. Right fielder Tony Gwynn and catcher Benito Santiago, who has been on the disabled list the past five weeks with a broken finger, are expected to be voted to starting roles by the fans.

No final decision has been made on Fernandez, however. Cox and White still are trying to decide between Fernandez and Cincinnati Red shortstop Barry Larkin, although they seem to be leaning toward Fernandez. Fernandez almost certainly would make the All-Star team if Santiago can’t play--one Padre would replace another--but Santiago said Saturday he plans to play in the game.

The only other viable Padre candidate to make the team is starter Craig Lefferts (10-5, 3.44 ERA), but sources say he is not being given serious consideration.

The National League All-Star team, depending on injuries, is expected to look like this July 14 at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium:

Pitchers: Tom Glavine (starter) and John Smoltz, Atlanta; David Cone, New York; Tom Candiotti, Dodgers; Dennis Martinez, Montreal; Greg Maddux, Chicago; Bob Tewksbury, St. Louis; Randy Tomlin, Pittsburgh; Norm Charlton, Cincinnati; and Doug Jones, Houston.

Infield--First basemen: Will Clark (starter), San Francisco; McGriff, Padres; Eddie Murray, New York. Second basemen: Ryne Sandberg (starter), Chicago; Bip Roberts, Cincinnati. Shortstops: Ozzie Smith (starter), St. Louis; Fernandez, Padres. Third basemen: Terry Pendleton (starter), Atlanta; and Sheffield, Padres.

Catchers: Santiago (starter), Padres; Darren Daulton, Philadelphia.

Outfield: Gwynn (starter); Barry Bonds (starter) and Andy Van Slyke, Pittsburgh; Bobby Bonilla, New York; Ron Gant, Atlanta; John Kruk, Philadelphia; and Andre Dawson, Chicago.

The makeup of the team could be altered, of course, depending on the voting and injuries. Cox still would like to find a place for either Otis Nixon or Deion Sanders of Atlanta, and Montreal outfielder Larry Walker still is under consideration.

Injury update: Santiago took live batting practice for the first time since breaking the little finger on his right hand May 30, and felt little discomfort.

“I was surprised how good he looked,” said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager.

Santiago said the finger still is tender, but he will be ready to face live pitching sometime in the middle of next week. The Padres are expected to send him to triple-A Las Vegas for at least three days on a rehabilitative assignment, then bring him back in time for the All-Star game.

“I know he wants to play in the All-Star Game, but we’ll make the ultimate decision,” McIlvaine said. “If he gets hurt by coming back too early, who do you think looks like the fools?

“I’m more worried about his physical condition than the All-Star game.”

Gwynn missed his second consecutive game with back spasms, but said his condition significantly improved.

“I feel a whole lot better than I do than I did (Friday),” Gwynn said. “Hopefully, I’ll be ready by Monday.”

In a time when the Padres are looking for someone to emerge as their bullpen stopper, perhaps it’s only fitting that the Ex-Padre Player of the Week Award goes to Mark Davis of the Kansas City Royals.

Davis, who bolted San Diego after winning the Cy Young with 44 saves in 1989, finally has started to get untracked.

He won his first game since Sept. 30, 1991, on Monday when he beat the New York Yankees, pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing four hits and two earned runs.

In fact, since Davis went 21 days without appearing in a game for the Royals, he has at least been usable. He actually made four appearances without a walk. He was scheduled to make another start Saturday and will continue to be in the rotation on a start-to-start basis.