"Ryan Ludwick wants to return to the Padres next year, but believes the chances are "probably less than 50-50."

The right fielder hit only .212 with the Padres with six homers and 26 RBI in 59 games after being acquired from St. Louis in a trading deadline deal. He struck out 57 times in 209 at-bats.

Ludwick, 32, is arbitration eligible.

"I'd like to come back to show the Padres and the San Diego fans what I can do," said Ludwick. "I was disappointed. The calf muscle injury (suffered when he was a Cardinal) killed me. I just got back from that when I was traded. I never got back on firm ground."

*breaker Young thoughts

Padres general manager Jed Hoyer Monday said "it's a safe assumption" that the Padres will not pick up the club's $8.5 million option on right-handed starter Chris Young for the 2011 season.

But Hoyer would like to see Young return as a Padre.

"I was really impressed by the way Chris came back this season," said Hoyer. "Chris will likely be a free agent and we will want to talk to him and his agent."

After allowing one hit over six shutout innings in the second game of the season, Young missed the next 146 games with a right shoulder strain. Young was 1-0 in three starts over the season's final 14 games with a 1.29 ERA over 14 innings.

*breaker Coaches corner

Hoyer said he has been contacted by teams interested in talking to three Padres coaches -- bench coach Ted Simmons, first base coach Rick Renteria and hitting coach Randy Ready -- regarding managerial vacancies.

Simmons has already announced he will not be returning as the Padres bench coach next season. He wants to pursue either a manager's job or return to scouting out of his St. Louis home."