Padre Notebook : Good News for Bevacqua May Not Be Enough

Kurt Bevacqua could be with the Padres on opening day after all.

However, put strong emphasis on the words “could be.”

Bevacqua received a long-awaited call Friday from Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League Players Assn., concerning Bevacqua’s waiver request on the rule that prohibits free agents from signing with their former teams until May 1. Fehr told Bevacqua that the players association would agree to waive the rule in his case if the Player Relations Committee (management’s negotiating council) agreed to do likewise.

“Donald said he doesn’t see any problem as far as either side giving in or setting a precedent,” Bevacqua said. “It’s a unique situation. I look at this as a step in the right direction. I think it could be a major factor because the Padres are looking for people who could help them opening day.”

The Padres reaction concerning Bevacqua making the team:

“You could say his chances are better,” Manager Steve Boros said. “This is one negative that could be eliminated. But you have to look at other aspects, too. What positions can he play, how well does he run the bases and what is the direction of the club? The direction of the club is definitely toward younger players.”

It has appeared that John Kruk, 25, and Jerry Davis, 27, are vying for the final non-pitching roster spot. Kruk, a left-hander, is batting .478, but he would not be a starter, and the Padres already have Dane Iorg for left-handed pinch-hitting. Davis, a right-hander, is batting .210. Bevacqua, also a right-hander, is batting .316.

Jack McKeon, the Padres general manager, was surprised that Bevacqua may be an exception to the May 1 rule.

“If they decide to change it, why make the rule in the first place?” McKeon asked. “There are a lot of rules (management) would like to change. (The players) wouldn’t change a lot for us. They should’ve thought about this before they put the rule in.”

The Padres aggressive baserunning was a negative factor in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

In the seventh inning, Bip Roberts and Tony Gwynn were thrown out attempting to steal second base, killing a potential rally.

“My natural instinct is to make something happen and not wait for it to happen,” Boros said. “We got burned on it today.”

Kevin McReynolds made the most unusual baserunning play of the day in the third inning when he was on third base. After Carmelo Martinez hit a grounder to the pitcher, McReynolds was involved in such a time-consuming rundown that Martinez reached third base.

“We really only wanted Carmelo to get to second base,” Boros said. “I’m very happy with Kevin’s baserunning. I’m sure (Cubs Manager) Jim Frey will say it happened because a rundown play wasn’t executed well.”

Saturday, Dave Dravecky became the second Padre pitcher this spring to work six innings. He allowed two runs, one earned. Eric Show pitched six innings in Friday’s game against the Cubs.

Boros said he has been encouraged by the last six efforts by his starting pitchers: two each by Show and Dravecky and one each by Andy Hawkins and Mark Thurmond.

The Padres expect LaMarr Hoyt to join the team in the middle of next week. Hoyt has spent 28 days in a rehabilitation center. Boros said that because Hoyt is a control pitcher, it might not take him too long to regain form.

“It’s not like he has to come up with a new pitch,” Boros said. “He has the pitches and the delivery. It’s a question of his legs and arm getting into shape.”

Until Hoyt returns, Ed Wojna is considered the top candidate for the 10th pitching spot. However, Boros has frequently praised rookie Ed Vosberg, who has allowed one earned run in eight innings.

Saturday’s attendance of 6,007 was a Desert Sun Stadium record.