PADRES UPDATE : NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : McIlvaine Rejects Twins’ Offer, So Teufel Will Remain a Padre

SAN DIEGO —  Padre infielder Tim Teufel marched into the office of Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager, Saturday afternoon and asked whether he should be dressing for the game or packing for Minnesota.

McIlvaine confirmed they have had serious talks with the Twins, but they rejected the Twins’ final offer of a minor-league pitcher.

“I’m glad I’m still here,” Teufel said. “I really didn’t want to be a rent-a-player.”

The playoff roster deadline came and went Saturday night without the Padres being able to deal any of their veterans for a top prospect. They had discussions with Boston about reliever Craig Lefferts. They talked to the Detroit Tigers about starter Dennis Rasmussen. And their most serious talks were with the Twins about Teufel.

“It’s nice they’re interested, and I’m flattered other people know they can use me,” Teufel said, “but I was only going to be an extra guy for pinch-hitting with the Twins. What was I going to get, 10 at-bats the rest of the season?

“I’m glad I’m not leaving. At least you can judge your ability by playing, and people can evaluate.”

Certainly, Teufel hopes there will be plenty of teams watching him in September. He’s eligible for free agency at the end of the season.

Teufel would like to return to the Padres, but the Padres’ interest, he said, will be revealed by their contract offer.

“There’s a way of letting players know if they want you back,” Teufel said. “We’ll see how much they want me.”

While the Padres were unable to make any trades, they have decided to recall three players from triple-A Las Vegas who’ll be in uniform for tonight’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The call-ups will be catcher Tom Lampkin, outfielder Jim Vatcher and right-handed reliever Jeremy Hernandez.

Vatcher, who could see a lot of playing time depending on Padre right fielder Tony Gwynn’s status, is batting .266 this season with 17 homers and 67 RBIs.

Lampkin, who was sent down to Las Vegas at the All-Star break, is batting .317 with two homers and 29 RBIs. He likely will start once a week and push Dann Bilardello back to the role of being the No. 3 catcher.

Hernandez, who has spent the entire season at Las Vegas, is 4-8 with a 4.74 ERA and 13 saves. He has yielded 76 hits and 25 walks, striking out 67 in 68 1/3 innings. He likely will be used extensively in the closer’s role to ascertain whether he’s capable of filling the job next season.

“I can’t believe how good is stuff is,” Lampkin said. “I mean, he throws hard. And when he’s on, he’s almost untouchable. I really think he’s going to do well.”

The Padres also are expected to activate pitchers Pat Clements and Atlee Hammaker from the disabled list early next week. However, they have no plans to recall third baseman Scott Coolbaugh, who apparently no longer fits into the Padres’ plans.

The ex-Padre player of the week award goes to Mark Davis of the Kansas City Royals, who is being used as an emergency starter and long reliever.

Davis won his first game as a starter since 1987 Tuesday when he yielded three hits in six innings against the Chicago White Sox in a 3-2 victory.

If that wasn’t enough, his wife Candace gave birth to a baby boy during the past week, Logan Davis.

The Padres still haven’t told Ed Whitson their plans, but sources indicate the Padres are planning to exercise the option year in his contract. Whitson, who’s on the disabled list after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, will be paid $1 million next season. If the Padres had elected not to pick up the option, they would have had to pay Whitson $250,000.

Pirate outfielder Cecil Espy wasn’t quite sure, but after visiting his father in San Diego on Saturday, he learned his dad’s true sentiments.

“My dad told me he’s pulling for us,” Espy said. “He wants us to go all of the way. He wants to see me in the World Series.”

So just why would his father have any mixed feelings?

Cecil Espy Sr. is to be a 14-year scout with the St. Louis Cardinals.