Report on College Job Is News to Gwynn

Retiring San Diego Padre Tony Gwynn was surprised at a report Tuesday that he will be formally announced today as San Diego State’s baseball coach for next season.

“I don’t know anything,” Gwynn said at Dodger Stadium Tuesday afternoon. “I left home on Monday and I’ve been waiting for someone to call me. They tell me there’s supposed to be a press conference ... and I don’t know jack. I just hope the rumors are true. It would be great.”

Gwynn, who played at San Diego State, said he hopes to return to his old stomping grounds.

“There’s no other coaching job I am actively pursuing,” he said. “If it falls through, I have some other irons in the fire. I have talked with Fox and ESPN about postseason baseball reporting and I have some fast-food restaurants opening ... in Bakersfield the end of the month and

Still, Gwynn remains hopeful of coaching a college team.

“I tried to call [ San Diego State Athletic Director] Rick Avery but as of yet, he hasn’t called back. And he has all my numbers.”

If Dodger right-hander Kevin Brown is too sore from Monday night’s outing, in which he gave up one run while striking out 11 in six innings, to go on three-days’ rest, the Dodgers’ four-man rotation will be scrapped for the time-being.

Left-hander Terry Mullholland would start Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Brown would start Saturday.

A decision should be made today, Dodger Manager Jim Tracy said.