Padres in whirlwind spring tour

Friday, March 29, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Don't be too surprised if the San Diego Padres get off to a slow start when they open the regular season next week in Chicago.

In an attempt to honor a commitment to their double-A affiliate in Memphis, the Padres beginning tonight will play four games in four different cities in four days.

The Padres play San Diego State in San Diego tonight; fly to Las Vegas Saturday morning and play the Toronto Blue Jays at Cashman Field; fly to Memphis Saturday night and play the St. Louis Cardinals there Sunday; then fly to Chicago Sunday night to open the season against the Cubs Monday afternoon.

The Padres had hoped to play three exhibition games at Cashman Field this weekend. But Memphis officials reportedly wanted the team to play there this spring, because the Padres canceled a game last year due to the players' strike.

Although Las Vegas fans will be able to see the Padres play only once this spring, those who show up for Saturday's 1 p.m. contest will see left-hander Fernando Valenzuela start against the Blue Jays' rookie right-hander, Jeff Ware.

Spring flings

* BIG-LEAGUE MATCHUPS: Seattle right-hander Bob Wolcott will face Toronto right-hander Pat Hentgen tonight at 6 as Big League Weekend II gets under way at Cashman Field. Las Vegas Stars right-hander Denny Harriger will start against the Milwaukee Brewers (starter undecided) Saturday at 7 p.m. and Milwaukee's Scott Karl will face Toronto's Juan Guzman Sunday at 1 p.m.

* DEER RELEASED: The San Diego Padres granted Rob Deer's request and released the 35-year-old slugger after they were unable to trade him. The Kansas City Royals reportedly are interested in signing Deer, who told the Padres he would refuse an assignment to play in the minor leagues. Deer hit .186 with four home runs and 15 RBIs this spring.

* ODDS AND ENDS: Former Stars outfielder Randy Curtis is attempting a comeback after seriously injuring his leg in a jet-ski accident last spring at Lake Havasu, Ariz. Curtis, 25, hit .208 in 30 games with the Stars in 1994 and missed last season while rehabilitating his leg, which he nearly lost after the accident. Curtis is scheduled to begin the season at Class A Rancho Cucamonga. ... With Thursday's 11-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Peoria, the Padres tied the franchise record for spring wins with 18. ... The Padres will play three regular-season games Aug. 16-18 against the New York Mets in Monterrey, Mexico. ... Eric Bullock, who hit .263 in 84 games with the Stars last year, will serve as a player/coach this season for manager Jerry Royster.