PADRES : Starting Lineup Coming Into Focus

TEMPE, Ariz. —  Three weeks still remain, allowing the Padre management ample time to change its mind. But unless there’s an unexpected development in the last half of of spring-training camp, the Padres appear to be close to settling on their starting lineup.

Although no Padre official will declare their hand, and Manager Greg Riddoch insists that jobs still are wide-open, sources close to the club say many of the decisions have been formulated.

The opening-day lineup, you ask? Try this:

1. Bip Roberts, second base.

2. Tony Fernandez, shortstop.

3. Tony Gwynn, right field.

4. Fred McGriff, first base.

5. Benito Santiago, catcher.

6. Jim Presley, third base.

7. Jerald Clark, left field.

8. Shawn Abner, center field.

9. Bruce Hurst or Ed Whitson, pitcher.

“I’ve seen this team a few times this spring,” said one scout, “and I’ll tell you what, their top four guys in the lineup just might be the best of anyone. I mean, of either league, including Oakland.

“I’m impressed, and from talking to them, they’re pretty excited, too.”

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the spring has been the outfield play, in particular left fielder Jerald Clark and right fielder Jim Vatcher.

Clark, who missed the first week of games with a strained hamstring, went one for three with a double Sunday in the Padres’ 2-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners. Clark is batting .307 this spring, with two doubles and a homer in only 13 at-bats. His offensive skills are so impressive that the Padres privately say Clark will be their starting left fielder.

“The thing I like about him is his power,” said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager. “He has more power than anyone we’ve got in our outfield. We like him an awful lot.”

Said Clark: “I feel real comfortable now, and that means everything to me. I was pretty frustrated with the injury, but I think it put everything in perspective for me. You’ve just got to go out there and relax, and don’t worry about the things you can’t control.

“I was so tense before, I was just hurting myself.”

Vatcher, who was claimed off waivers when the Atlanta Braves tried to outright him in February, has overwhelmed the Padres with his defensive skills. He already has three assists this spring, and with the possible exception of right fielder Tony Gwynn, has the best outfield arm. Vatcher, 5-feet-9, 165 pounds, also is batting .294 with one homer and two RBIs in 17 at-bats.

Fred Claire, Dodger general manager, was upset Sunday that the Padres confirmed they were asked about their interest in Dodger starter Fernando Valenzuela. McIlvaine told The Times on Friday that he had little interest in Valenzuela, saying, “He’s on the downside of his career, not the upside. I’m going to go with the five starters we have.”

Claire responded Sunday by saying: “I have not discussed Fernando with a trade with San Diego. And I don’t appreciate Joe McIlvaine or anyone else making comments about a Dodger player in relation to an evaluation of that player.

“Anybody who makes a comment about the ability of one our players is out of order. I don’t appreciate it. I’m sure Fernando doesn’t appreciate it.”

Said McIlvaine, upon hearing Claire’s reaction: “OK, so I won’t comment any more. Somebody asked me a question, and I answered, that’s all. It was probably my mistake. I should have said, ‘No comment.’ ”

The Dodgers, according to several sources, however, are avidly shopping Valenzuela because of the apparent recovery of starter Orel Hershiser.

Starter Ed Whitson made a strong bid to become the opening-day starter when he became the first Padre pitcher to work five innings in Sunday’s game. Whitson allowed just four hits and one run, and did not issue a walk.

“I could have gone nine innings, easy,” Whitson said. “I felt that good. Let’ me tell you, I’m ready for opening day, and I’d like to be that pitcher.”

Padre starter Dennis Rasmussen has been diagnosed with tendinitis in his left shoulder, and is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-week. . . . Garry Templeton’s future with the Padres still appears shaky. When asked of his chances of making the team, Riddoch said: “He has every bit of chance of making the team as (Paul) Faries and (Scott) Coolbaugh. No more, no less.” . . . Marty Barrett, playing third base for the Padres in the “B” game, went three for four with two RBIs. Templeton went two for three with one RBI.