SAN DIEGO -- The Padres have decided to pursue a grievance against Khalil Greene for injuring himself, but one teammate hopes the episode doesn't fracture the relationship between the club and its shortstop.

Greene missed the Padres' final 52 games -- 32 percent of the season -- with a fractured left pinky finger after striking an object in the clubhouse tunnel at Petco Park out of frustration in the eighth inning of a July 30 game against the Florida Marlins.

The team's most valuable player in 2007, Greene signed a two-year, $11 million contract extension before last season, including a $4.5 million salary for 2008. He finished the season with a .213 average, 10 homers and 35 RBIs in 105 games, one year after he established career highs with 27 homers, 97 RBIs and 153 games.

Now the Padres are attempting to recoup some of Greene's salary.

"I just hope they find a quick resolution and this doesn't linger," pitcher Chris Young said. "We need Khalil next year, and we need him healthy."

Neither Greene nor his agent returned calls seeking comment.

Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said he couldn't speak in depth because of legal ramifications, but that he believes the club has cause in seeking the return of some of Greene's salary.

"We feel that in his contract there's an allocation of risk and understanding of what conduct is and isn't acceptable," Alderson said. "That's the basis for our claim."