Roster cuts by Padres help shape Stars’ 1998 roster

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, March 25, 1998 | 9:37 a.m.

PEORIA, Ariz. --- The Las Vegas Stars will likely pick up three new players today when the parent San Diego Padres trim their roster to 33 players.

Which three? Padres manager Bruce Bochy, after meeting with his coaching staff for 75 minutes following San Diego's 7-4 win over San Francisco here, wouldn't say.

"It wouldn't be fair to the players," he said. "I want them to hear it from me."

Bochy did say "two pitchers and a player" will be sent down.

Two players some thought were ticketed for Las Vegas, DH/1B Eddie Williams and outfielder Ruben Rivera, apparently stand a decent chance of making the Padres' opening day roster.

"Both of those guys could go right down to the wire," said Bochy.

One player who apparently could be Las Vegas bound is third baseman George Arias, who had stints with both the Padres and Angels last year.

Arias was hitting just .204 in 49 spring training at-bats before coming off the bench for a two-run, pinch-hit single in the Padres' win over San Francisco.

"It's going to be tough for George," said Bochy. "With (Ken) Caminiti healthy and Archi Cianfrocco and Andy Sheets on the club, it's going to be tough to make it."

* MIRABELLI SENT DOWN: Missing from San Francisco's roster here Tuesday was catcher Doug Mirabelli, who prepped at Valley High School and had a chance to make the squad as a third catcher. "He was assigned back to the minor leagues," said Giants' manager Dusty Baker. "We needed to keep 12 pitchers (instead of 11 pitchers and three catchers). Plus, he needs to play some more." Mirabelli was hitting .313 with six RBIs at the time of his demotion.

* LANGSTON SHINES: Former Angels left-hander Mark Langston, who signed a minor league contract with the Padres in January worth $500,000 plus $350,000 in incentives after being let go by Anaheim, has earned a spot in San Diego's rotation. In fact, Langston, 37, may have surpassed Sterling Hitchcock and Pete Smith into the No. 4 starters role. "There's no question Mark's in the rotation," said Padres manager Bruce Bochy. "Where is what we have to talk about." Langston was plagued by elbow problems last year. However, he has compiled a 1-1 record and 3.78 ERA this spring, including 10 consecutive scoreless innings over his last two starts. "His velocity was 89 (mph)," said San Diego general manager Kevin Towers. "And he was solid on his cutters, changes and curves. I'm excited by what I've seen."

* THE TONY EXPRESS: Tony Gwynn, who won his eighth National League batting title and fourth in a row with a .372 average last season, appears to be in mid-season form. After going 2-for-2 in San Diego's 7-4 win over San Francisco here Tuesday, the 37-year-old Gwynn has 15 hits in his last 28 at-bats and has an 11-game hitting streak.