The Padres knew they were taking a gamble when they acquired the oftinjured Edmonds from St. Louis in December. Few could have guessed his stay would be this short, but his dropoff has been dramatic.

An eight-time Gold Glove winner and four-time All-Star, Edmonds, 37, strained his right calf in early March and started the season on the disabled list before being activated on April 5. A lifetime .286 hitter, he was just 16-for-90 in 26 games, with one home run and six RBI.

Neither Edmonds nor general manager Kevin Towers immediately returned phone calls or e-mails seeking comment.

While Edmonds once made spectacular catches while with the Cardinals and Angels, he clearly lost a step or two and simply couldn't catch up to fly balls.

The Padres acquired Edmonds and $2 million from the Cardinals in mid-December for minor league third baseman David Freese.

The deal came about quickly after the Padres were spurned by three outfielders in less than a week, including their own free agents, centerfielder Mike Cameron and leftfielder Milton Bradley. They were outbid for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

The Padres called up outfielder Jody Gerut from Triple A Portland to take Edmonds' roster spot. Gerut hit .308 five home runs and 18 RBI in 27 games with the Beavers.

Gerut made San Diego's Opening Day roster as a nonroster invitee and went 1-for-6 with a stolen base in four games before being optioned to the Beavers.

San Diego also claimed lefthander Sean Henn off waivers from the New York Yankees.

Henn (1-0) gave up an earned run in 10 2/3 innings over eight relief appearances between Class A Tampa and Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Noteworthy

A judge in Miami-Dade Circuit Court decided to let the lawsuit go forward. Braman, an auto magnate and former Eagles owner, claims the $3 billion plan is unconstitutional because of the way it is financed.

* Former All-Star closer Derrick Turnbow accepted a minor league assignment from the Milwaukee Brewers and will report to Triple A Nashville on Monday. Turnbow was 0-1 with a 15.63 ERA in eight games this year.

In games yesterday:

* At New York, the game between Cincinnati and the Mets was postponed because of rain. It will be made up today as part of a day-night doubleheader, with start times of 1:10 and 7:30 p.m. *