PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK : At Las Vegas, Barrett’s Swing Gets Better Along With His Knee

The Padres, in their exhaustive search for an everyday second baseman, might have their man waiting in Las Vegas.

Marty Barrett, who went to triple-A Las Vegas on a rehabilitative assignment after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, is completely healthy, and says he’s swinging the bat the best he has in years.

Barrett, whose rehab assignment ends Wednesday, was batting .333 after making adjustments in his swing that provided him power to the opposite field.

“I know I’m ready, I’m just biding my time,” Barrett said. “I think they want to take a good look at (Tim) Teufel, and while they’re looking, I might as well be getting sharp down here.

“To tell you the truth, I’m really enjoying it. We’re having a great time down here. I told the guys. ‘Hey, if you win the championship, I want a ring.’ ”

The biggest reason for Barrett’s optimism is that Tony Torchia, the Stars’ batting coach, has helped him discover newfound power. Torchia managed Barrett in double-A and triple-A in the Boston Red Sox organization and discovered a flaw in Barrett’s batting approach when the infielder began his assignment in Las Vegas.

“I wasn’t using my left side, and I didn’t realize it,” Barrett said. “I’ve changed my stance and approach, and I’m hitting the ball better than I have in five years. Now, I’ve got that power back to right field.

“Really, I’m in the best groove I’ve been in a long, long time.”

The Padres still need a second baseman. Teufel is batting only .125 since his arrival, and the four players who have been tried at second base since Bip Roberts moved to center field have combined to hit .118 with one homer and nine RBIs.

Paul Faries, the starting second baseman before Teufel’s arrival, is out of the picture for the time being. He was sent to Class A High Desert Friday to begin a 20-day rehabilitative assignment. Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, will be keeping a close eye on him. He’s scheduled to be in High Desert next week evaluating the team.

“Just like everything else,” Padre Manager Greg Riddoch said, “we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. What’s new, huh?”

The Padres have signed 21 of their 53 draft picks, but have yet to sign any of their top seven picks. They’re scheduled to have a negotiating session today with pitcher Joey Hamilton, their first-round pick with the eighth selection. It’s unknown how much Hamilton will receive, but it likely will be a franchise-record of at least $325,000. Manny Ramirez, the Cleveland Indians’ first-round selection with the 13th pick, signed for $240,000. . . . The Padres still are uncertain whether they will keep Atlee Hammaker, who has one start remaining at triple-A Las Vegas on his rehabilitative assignment. Hammaker pitched 5 1/3 innings Thursday, allowing five hits and three earned runs. . . . Tony Gwynn’s longest streak without a hit is a mere two games, and that has happened only twice this season. . . . The Padres’ game Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals has been moved back to 7:35 p.m. to accommodate ESPN-TV. The Padres also changed the time of their June 15 game against the Chicago Cubs from 12:15 to noon.