Padres Grant Ashby $15-Million Wish

Right-hander Andy Asbhy, whose career blossomed when he was traded to the San Diego Padres four seasons ago, agreed to a $15 million, three-year contract extension Wednesday.

The Padres also benched struggling slugger Greg Vaughn to allow him spend extra time working with batting coach Merv Rettenmund. Vaughn, who signed a $15-million, three-year deal in the off-season, was hitting only .175 overall and is two for 27 (.074) with runners in scoring position.

Ashby, one of the Padres’ top two pitchers, would have been eligible to file for free agency at the end of the season.

“I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” Ashby said. “I’ve wanted to stay here ever since I got over here. I think it’s turned my career around.”

Ashby will earn $4.1 million in 1998, $5 million in 1999 and $5.9 million in 2000. He and batting star Tony Gwynn are the only Padres players locked up through 2000. Ashby is in the final year of a $5-million, two-year deal.

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The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Brian Jordan on the 15-day disabled list so he could receive treatment for a bulging disc in his lower back. They called up relief pitcher Rich Bachelor from triple-A Louisville to take Jordan’s spot on the roster.

The Cardinals have nine players on the disabled list.

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The Florida Marlins put Luis Castillo on the 15-day disabled because of a bruise on his left heel and recalled infielder Ralph Milliard from their triple-A affiliate in Charlotte to take his roster spot.