Padre Notebook : Starting Pitchers Are Still Not in Sync

PHOENIX —  Padre pitchers gave up nine runs Thursday.

Wednesday, they yielded eight.

“It’s not a disappointment,” Manager Steve Boros said Thursday. “Eric (Show, who started Wednesday) and Andy (Hawkins, who started Thursday) just aren’t in sync yet.”

But with pitcher LaMarr Hoyt still in a drug rehabilitation center, potentially there could be problems. Boros does want to know when Hoyt is coming back. Sources said he should be released on March 26, but that hasn’t been relayed to the manager.

“I’ve asked about it,” Boros said. “And I still haven’t heard (when he’s coming back). I have inquired, yes.”

Ed Wojna is the logical choice to replace Hoyt in the rotation, but:

- What about a trade? The latest rumor out of Florida has the Padres trading outfielder Carmelo Martinez and pitcher Mark Thurmond to Pittsburgh for outfielder R.J. Reynolds and pitcher Rick Rhoden. General Manager Jack McKeon balks.

- What about promoting some other guys? Other than Wojna, Boros mentioned left-handers Ed Vosberg, Bob Patterson and Ray Hayward (although Hayward is having arm problems).

Or . . .

“We could go to a four-man rotation for the first two weeks of the season, assuming LaMarr could pick up as the fifth guy from there,” Boros said.

“A lot hinges on when he gets back.”

Bip Roberts had two more hits and a stolen base in the Padres’ 9-2 loss to Milwaukee Thursday. One of the hits was a bunt, and he nearly beat out another later in the game.

“Sandy Alomar (the first base coach) said he was safe,” Boros said.

So Roberts is rolling.

“Other than the time he overran a ground ball in his first game, Bip has handled everything his way,” Boros said.

Kevin McReynolds, who missed three games with a sprained tailbone, returned to the lineup as a designated hitter. He went hitless, but his agent Tom Selakovich, in attendence Thursday, said: “Kevin’s as happy as I’ve ever seen him. It’s because of Steve (Boros).”

Injury report: Shorstop Garry Templeton (groin) and utility infielder Tim Flannery (thigh) sat out Thursday’s game. Gary Green, starting for Templeton, singled in his first at-bat, but left with a slight hamstring pull.

Half of the Padres will go to Tuscon to play Cleveland today, and then fly to Vancouver, B.C., tonight for a weekend series against the Cubs.

The rest of the team will play Milwaukee today in Chandler and then face the Cub leftovers this weekend in Mesa.

Monday is an off day.