Padres Activate Gwynn From Disabled List

Eight-time batting champion Tony Gwynn was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

Gwynn, who announced last week that he’ll retire at the end of the season, will initially be available only to pinch hit.

Gwynn was first sidelined April 21 because of a strained right hamstring. He was activated May 8, only to re-injure the hamstring after two games, and headed back to the DL on May 11.

“I’m just grateful I might get an opportunity here and there before we get to the All-Star break,” Gwynn said. “It’s nice to be a part of things again.”

Gwynn, in his 20th season with San Diego, has played in only 16 games. Despite his lack of playing time, there has been strong talk that Gwynn will be selected as a reserve on the NL All-Star team. But Gwynn said he doesn’t want to go if it means being the Padres’ only representative.

“I want to be the extra guy,” said the 15-time All-Star. “I don’t want to take anyone’s spot. If I go, it’s just to go and enjoy it.”

The Padres also activated catcher Wiki Gonzalez (sprained right ankle) from the 15-day DL.

To make room on the roster, San Diego designated infielder Santiago Perez for assignment and sent catcher Rick Wilkins to triple-A Portland.

Ken Caminiti, who requested and received his unconditional release from the Texas Rangers on Monday, said he would like to return to the National League.

While he wouldn’t name the four teams he’s interested in, they are believed to be the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.

“I want to go and fit on a team that wants me, that I can fit in with, that needs me and wants me to come help the team win,” Caminiti said. “It doesn’t have to be a team that’s necessarily in first place.”

Cub Manager Don Baylor acknowledged that his team would have interest.

“I don’t think he’s broken down,” Baylor said. “I imagine that a switch-hitter, a former MVP would generate a lot of interest.”

Caminiti, 38, had been on the disabled list since June 17 because of a pulled left hamstring.

Infielder John Wehner, who went on the disabled list June 6 because of a dislocated shoulder, was activated as the Pittsburgh Pirates made several moves.

The Pirates also designated outfielder Emil Brown for assignment and optioned infielder Luis Figueroa to triple-A Nashville. In addition, they called up outfielder Adam Hyzdu from Nashville.

The Milwaukee Brewers named Henry Aaron, Rollie Fingers, Paul Molitor and Robin Yount as the first members of the team’s Walk of Fame at Miller Park. All four players are scheduled to attend an induction ceremony before a game against the Minnesota Twins on July 12. . . . The St. Louis Cardinals traded minor league first baseman Larry Sutton to the Minnesota Twins for minor league infielder Hanley Frias.