After nine pro seasons, including three games in the big leagues, Chad Santos decided to retire from baseball after getting released June 1 from the San Francisco Giants organization.

Santos, 25, is still young enough to look for another organization, considering his track record in Triple A the past five years. But he said he was tired of moving his family around. His daughter turns six in a couple of weeks and his son is almost 9 months old.

The left-handed hitting first baseman was released from Triple-A Fresno (Cailf.), where he was hitting .243 with seven doubles, four home runs and 15 RBIs in 33 games.

"It was time," Santos said.

Santos was drafted in the 22nd round and signed by the Kansas City Royals after graduating from Saint Louis School in 1999. He joined the Giants last season as a minor league free agent. He had a brief call-up with the Giants last summer. He was 3 for 7 with a home run and two RBIs. Although he felt he proved himself, he was still optioned back to the minors.

Despite not being able to work his way back to the majors, Santos said he has no regrets.

"I'm happy I lasted this long," he said.

— By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

RANGERS

RIGHT-HANDER PADILLA HEADED TO DISABLED LIST

Texas right-hander Vicente Padilla admitted yesterday to pitching coach Mark Connor that he was still bothered by the right triceps problem that forced him to miss a start June 5.

Padilla had an MRI exam then that showed inflammation but no serious problems, and the Rangers believe that is still the case.

The Rangers didn't make the move immediately, but will put Padilla (3-8, 6.69 ERA) on the 15-day disabled list before his scheduled start tomorrow at Detroit.

TWINS

MORNEAU REMAINS IN HOSPITAL FOR THIRD NIGHT

Justin Morneau spent his third consecutive night in the hospital yesterday, while being monitored for a bruised right lung, and general manager Terry Ryan said it's too soon to tell when the first baseman will return to the field.

Ryan said Morneau could be released from the hospital today and cleared to fly home.