Adam

Eaton

Eaton, who left Sunday’s game with the injury, made 10 practice throws yesterday before being shut down. Roger Deago is likely to assume Eaton’s start tomorrow in Shea Stadium.

Eaton is troubled by a strained groin.

With all the injuries and roster moves, here is how the San Diego rotation currently stacks up: Carlton Loewer and Brian Lawrence will face the Braves today and tomorrow. Monday, Randy Keisler will face the Brewers, followed by Eaton and Jake Peavy. Charles Nagy will be used in relief. Even though he’s coming off an injury, Eaton’s a good risk to use against Milwaukee.

Eaton, bombed in his first two starts, has been much better his last two times out. “He’s fine. He’s down in the zone now, and that was the only thing I was concerned about early in spring,” pitching coach Darren Balsley said. “He’s strong, he’s in shape. Now it’s just fine-tuning him a little bit.”

''Hopefully, if I miss a start, it will be only one,’' Eaton said. ''I think this is pretty minor.’' Manager Bruce Bochy said Eaton would be evaluated before today’s flight to Montreal.

The Padres have been trying to get Eaton to eliminate one of his five pitches, and on Tuesday he didn’t throw any sliders. ''His pitch selection was better,’' pitching coach Darren Balsley said. Any pitcher can get victimized with the wind blowing out at Wrigley, so take this as a sign that Eaton is on the right track.

''Right now, there are too many things in his bag of tricks, really, to me,’' pitching coach Darren Balsley said. Eaton throws a fastball, cut fastball, slider, curveball and change-up, and to this point of his career he’s been very streaky.

Here’s why it was a good idea to keep him reserved. Eaton gave up three hits, including a three-run homer to Rob Mackowiak, and walked one.

It’s unknown whether he’ll return to the starting rotation or not this year, although manager Bruch Bochy is saying there is better than a 50-50 shot of that happening.

Not exactly how the DL is supposed to be used, but it’s not like anyone really cares. Eaton will make three starts in the minors, the first coming Wednesday for Single-A Lake Elsinore. The hope is that he’ll then be ready to rejoin the San Diego rotation.