ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANGELS BENCH IS LOOKING A BIT THIN.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

It wasn't that long ago that Angels manager Terry Collins had a hard time figuring out what card to use in his lineup.

Now he's having trouble finding enough cards to shuffle his deck.

With utility player Craig Grebeck, who hasn't played since Aug. 1, tentative with a right shoulder strain and a 12-man pitching staff, the Angels are left with just three hitters on the bench. Center fielder Jim Edmonds was just placed on the 15-day disabled list with a rib-cage strain.

The whole scenario has left Collins concerned.

``Now we got four (reserve) guys, but one of them is a catcher and he is going to play,'' Collins said. ``Jack Howell has been getting playing time, but then we have one guy banged up (Grebeck). All of the sudden, we're looking at a situation where we are short.''

In question: Although pitcher Mark Langston felt fine after throwing on the side Monday, there is still no timetable for his return, said pitching coach Marcel Lachemann. Lachemann said that he didn't know when the left-hander, who is trying to come back from shoulder surgery, will pitch on the side again or make his third rehabilitation start.

``We're taking it day by day and we will see how he feels (today),'' Lachemann said.

Collins said that once Langston is ready he will be activated immediately and may begin in the bullpen.

Right-hander Mark Gubicza, who has been bothered by shoulder discomfort, is expected to throw Saturday. The Northridge resident has been on the DL since April 12.

Cirillo cold: A .300 batting average and 51 RBI helped Milwaukee third baseman Jeff Cirillo get selected to his first All-Star Game. But since the break, the ex-Providence High and USC star has struggled.

In July, Cirillo batted just .217 with one homer and seven RBI. Entering Tuesday's game, the 6-foot-2, 188-pounder had just nine RBI since the break and a .278 batting average.

``I've been doing pretty crummy,'' said Cirillo, 27. ``It is a long season and you're going to go through trials and tribulations. I just have to be professional about it.

``You're not really graded when you're playing well, but you have to address it when you're playing badly. I'm trying to keep my head up and plug along the best way I can.''

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Photo

Photo: Center fielder Jim Edmonds, who was just placed on the 15-day disabled list with a rib-cage strain, is one of many banged up Angels.

Daily News File Photo