Hoffman Could Face More Surgery

San Diego reliever Trevor Hoffman is unlikely to be ready by opening day.

Padre General Manager Kevin Towers said Hoffman, 35, could require a second operation on his pitching shoulder, a setback that probably would sideline him for more than two months.

Towers said that the problem isn’t career-threatening, but he hoped Hoffman doesn’t have to sit out the season.

Hoffman, who is fifth on the career saves list with 352, is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in October. The four-time All-Star hasn’t thrown a baseball since the operation.

Towers says if Hoffman’s shoulder pain persists this month, he probably would need more intensive surgery that could put Hoffman out for the season.

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Right-hander Terry Adams avoided arbitration by signing a $2.9-million, one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.

Adams was 7-9 with a 4.35 earned-run average in 46 appearances in his first season with the Phillies last year. He began the season as a starter, before moving to the bullpen, where he had spent most of his eight-year career.

The Phillies also signed left-handed reliever Hector Mercado, minor league right-hander Eric Junge and minor-league outfielder Jorge Padilla.

The Phillies have no more players eligible for arbitration. Right-hander Kevin Millwood, acquired from the Atlanta Braves in December, signed a $9.9-million, one-year contract on Jan. 17. Third baseman Placido Polanco, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals last July, signed a one-year contract worth $2,875,000 on Jan. 30.

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Orlando Hernandez and the Montreal Expos agreed to a one-year contract worth $4.1 million.

Hernandez, acquired from the New York Yankees on Jan. 15, had asked for a raise from $3.2 million to $4.5 million in salary arbitration. Montreal had offered $4 million.

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The naming rights deal to call the Padres’ new ballpark PETCO Park was unanimously approved by San Diego’s City Council. The ballpark is scheduled to be completed by opening day 2004.