Padres Notebook: Injured Hammond not likely to make first-round roster

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Saturday, October 1, 2005 11:45 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- The Padres' pitching staff for their first-round playoff series is rounding into shape. The injury suffered by reliever Chris Hammond this week appears to be more serious than originally thought, and manager Bruce Bochy isn't counting on Hammond for the opening series against either the St. Louis Cardinals or Atlanta Braves.

"It doesn't look like he's going to be available," Bochy said Saturday.

On Friday, Hammond said he "tweaked" his groin two days earlier while stretching in the bullpen but that he felt good enough to pitch. Padres trainer Todd Hutcheson said Saturday that Hammond's injury was a lower abdominal strain. The Padres feared a hernia until Hammond was examined by a team doctor.

"We're taking him day by day," Hutcheson said. "We'll look at him again (today)."

Bochy doesn't have to submit his 25-man playoff roster until 10 a.m. Tuesday. If Hammond isn't available, though, the Padres likely will go with 10 pitchers: Jake Peavy, Pedro Astacio, Adam Eaton, Woody Williams, Brian Lawrence, Trevor Hoffman, Scott Linebrink, Akinori Otsuka, Rudy Seanez and Clay Hensley.

Hammond's absence would leave the Padres without a left-hander on their staff, which is a situation Bochy isn't unfamiliar with. The Padres didn't have a southpaw in the 1996 playoffs, when they were swept in three games by the Cardinals.

Uncertain itinerary

The Padres will leave this afternoon for St. Louis, even though the Cardinals aren't assured of being their playoff opponent. They might not even know until Monday afternoon who they will play.

The Houston Astros lead the Philadelphia Phillies by one game in the race for the National League wild card. If the Astros lose and the Phillies win today, they would meet in a one-game playoff on Monday. Houston earning the wild card means the Padres face the Cardinals; Philadelphia earning it means they face the Braves.

Bochy said the Padres will fly on to Atlanta on Monday night if necessary before Game 1 on Tuesday.

"Sure, it would make the travel easier (to stay in St. Louis)," Bochy said. "But either way, we're fine."

Tickets go fast

The Padres sold out the more than 20,000 tickets available to the public for both potential division series games at Petco Park next weekend. Only scattered single seats remain for Saturday's Game 3 and Sunday's Game 4 (if necessary).

Short hops

Before batting practice Saturday, the Padres worked on bunting, bunt defense and pickoff plays. "We have some new guys," manager Bruce Bochy said. "We just wanted to review it and make sure we have the signs down." ... Bochy said he will give most regulars, including CF Dave Roberts (groin), a couple at-bats today so they can stay fresh.