Shoulder damage ends Klesko's year

By:SHAUN O'NEILL - Staff Writer | Wednesday, September 3, 2003 6:25 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Ryan Klesko's 2003 season may have ended just as Trevor Hoffman's began.

As the Padres welcomed their closer back for his first action of the season Tuesday, they gathered to decide whether to end their first baseman's year prematurely.

Klesko had a contrast MRI exam that confirmed problems with the AC joint in his right shoulder. He almost certainly will undergo the same sort of bone-shaving surgery Hoffman had in spring training.

The question is whether to do it now or wait until after the season.

"It's better to do it now and get him 100 percent ready for spring training," manager Bruce Bochy said before the Padres' 6-3 victory over Arizona.

Afterward, however, Bochy said the decision wasn't etched in stone. He and general manager Kevin Towers met behind closed doors after the game.

Klesko had at least two cortisone shots while playing through the injury. His production took a nosedive: .252 batting average, 21 home runs, 67 RBIs in 121 games. Klesko averaged .290-28-100 in his first three seasons with the Padres.

"I've known there's something wrong for awhile," Klesko said. "So this is good news and bad. At least now I know there's nothing wrong with the rotator cuff."

With Klesko out, Phil Nevin would see more time at first base. That would free playing time in the outfield for Gary Matthews Jr. and September call-up Xavier Nady.

Greene's debut delayed

Shortstop Khalil Greene did not play Tuesday, his first day as a major-leaguer. But he will start plenty of games before season's end.

"He's here to play," Bochy said.

The Padres are counting on Greene to be their regular shortstop in 2004, allowing them to spend free-agent money on other positions and to use Ramon Vazquez in a utility role.

Greene did not play Tuesday because his flight to San Diego arrived less than an hour before game time. Among the five September call-ups, only Nady arrived early.

Pitchers Mike Bynum and Brandon Villafuerte were on the same flight as Greene, from Edmonton, Alberta, where Triple-A Portland finished its season.

Catcher Humberto Quintero, the only promotion from Double-A Mobile, also had a travel snag and wasn't expected to arrive until today.

Minor-league wrap

Most of the Padres' farm clubs ended their regular seasons Monday.

Portland finished 69-75, while Mobile went 61-77. Single-A Lake Elsinore was 75-65 but qualified for the California League playoffs with a 39-31 record in the second half. Single-A Fort Wayne was 71-66 and made the playoffs by winning its division in the first half with a 40-28 mark.

Short-season teams Eugene and Idaho Falls have not completed their seasons yet.

Short hops

Today's game begins at 2:05 p.m., a switch from the original 7:05 p.m. start. The time was to accommodate the Diamondbacks, who must travel to Kansas City for a makeup game Thursday. ... Padres RHP Ben Howard collected his first major-league hit, a single to left field off LHP Chris Capuano in the third inning. ... Arizona RF Raul Mondesi left the game in the fifth inning because of a strained groin muscle. ... Workers will begin to install the sod at Petco Park today. The field will get Bull's Eye Bermuda grass, the same type used at Anaheim's Edison International Field and Arizona's Bank One Ballpark.