NOTEBOOK : PADRES UPDATE : Roberts Remains in Center Field

ATLANTA —  It has been a week since the experiment began, and although the Padres’ plans could change, Bip Roberts is looking more and more like a fixture in center field.

The Padres provided Roberts with a breather by keeping him out of the starting lineup for the first time in 20 games Tuesday, giving the start to Shawn Abner, but the plan now is to keep Roberts in center field for the rest of the season.

“Whatever happens, happens, I’m not going to worry about it,” Roberts said. “But I love playing center. I love being out there. I’ve just got so much more confidence out there.

“I can see where the ball is being pitched, and I can get more of a reaction. My arm is stretched out. Really, I feel great.

“I just wasn’t as relaxed at second as I am now.”

The Padres were pleased with Roberts’ range at second base, but he had trouble turing the double play. Roberts’ troubles coincided with Abner’s collapse (one for 40, .025) in center field, making the move rather risk-free.

Although Roberts actually was hitting a bit higher when he played at second base, batting .276 compared to .250 in seven games at center, that soon will change, Roberts said.

Relying on a bit of advice provided last season by Pat Dobson, former Padre pitching coach, Roberts modified his stroke, keeping his elbow close to his side. And after working with Merv Rettenmund, Padre hitting coach, the immediate results have been gratifying.

In the past three games, he has four hits in his past nine at-bats with a double, and Roberts sees no reason why it won’t continue.

“I just wasn’t myself before,” he said. “I started hacking, and I’m thinking, ‘This isn’t my hack. It’s just not me.’ I wasn’t getting any bat speed.

“That’s all changed now, and I really think I turned it around.”

Although right-handed reliever Larry Andersen and second baseman Marty Barrett are eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday, the Padres plan to wait until at least Monday before activating them.

Andersen, who has been out with a herniated disc and bulging disc in his neck, will begin throwing for the first time Friday. Andersen has had improvement in his neck for the past eight days, he said, but there still is discomfort when he rotates his neck.

“I really wanted to pitch in the Houston series,” said Andersen, who spent nearly five years with the Astros. “Oh well, I’ll get them in San Diego. I’m looking forward to that.”

When the Padres activate Andersen, they then will have to decide whether to release Wes Gardner or send down John Costello or Rich Rodriguez.

“We’ll wait to that time comes to start considering our options,” said Joe McIlvaine, Padre general manager.

Padre reliever Pat Clements, who underwent arthroscopic surgery a week ago to repair a torn muscle in his left shoulder, will thrown on the side for the first time Sunday. He hopes to be ready by the end of the home stand ending June 2. . . . Atlanta reliever Mark Grant, a former Padre, is recuperating from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder, and is expected to begin throwing again in three weeks. . . . Braves third baseman Terry Pendleton, who has a strained hamstring, could miss the rest of the series. . . . Starter Derek Lilliquist had a strange pitching line from his performance Monday in Las Vegas. He gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings but struck out 11 batters. . . . The Padres are the only NL West team to have a winning record against division opponents. . . . The Padres will play the third game of their four-game series against the Braves at 4:40 p.m. today. Bruce Hurst (4-1) and Steve Avery (5-1) are the scheduled starters.