NOTEBOOK / BOB NIGHTENGALE : Hurst’s Condition Forces Team to Scramble for Pitching Help

CHICAGO —  The Padres’ joy over their three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs was limited because starter Bruce Hurst will miss at least one start with an inflamed rotator cuff.

The Padres will recall rookie Frank Seminara to pitch tonight against the San Francisco Giants. They must find a starter for Tuesday, probably journeyman Mark Knudson.

Hurst might have been injured in his last start. He was in pain Thursday morning and has been undergoing treatment. After attempting to play catch Sunday morning, he realized he was not ready.

“I tried to play catch, but I felt it bite right away,” said Hurst, the Padres’ top pitcher (14-7). “I could probably pitch if I knew I wasn’t going to do any damage, but I’m not going to do anybody any good by being out there.

“My strength is better than it was, and the pain has subsided, but it’s still not good enough to throw the ball. I need more rest.”

Hurst, who leads the team with 200 2/3 innings pitched, has not missed a start this year. The Padres are expected to give Hurst an extra week’s rest.

“We really don’t know what the cause was,” Padre trainer Bob Day said. “He didn’t feel there was one particular pitch, or didn’t feel anything pop or pull.”

The Padres, who traded Craig Lefferts a week ago, now must seek help from the minors. Seminara, sent down to Las Vegas three weeks ago, has been struggling. He is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA, yielding 21 hits and 13 walks. More discouraging, he was yielding a 7.04 ERA in his last three appearances with the Padres.

Knudson has spent the entire season at Las Vegas. He is 11-7 with a 4.47 ERA, and three times has been passed over for promotion.

“We’re all going to have to step forward,” said Padre starter Andy Benes. “It’s up to the rest of us to pick up the slack.”

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Although Randy Myers has been much-maligned this season, he now has a career-high 32 saves, and 19 in his last 20 opportunities.

“Not bad, considering I’ve got them all in four months and six days,” said Myers, referring to the month of June he was taken out of the stopper’s role.

Things have changed so much that was even asked his advice on whether he wanted to start the ninth inning Sunday. He let Tim Scott stay in the game, and replaced him one batter later.

“They asked me if I wanted to start the ninth,” Myers said, “but I told them that Andre (Dawson) has been hitting me pretty good. They told me to be ready for the second guy, so it worked out perfect.”