ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANGELS TO KEEP EYES ON COLON.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA Staff Writer

SEATTLE -- Not one to concentrate on getting in shape, the Angels are expecting it out of Bartolo Colon this offseason.

Colon has just completed his first week of a tentative 10-week rehabilitation program in Arizona for a partial thickness tear in his right rotator cuff. There is no progress to report because Colon hasn't even started to throw yet.

General manager Bill Stoneman was asked if Colon needs to get in shape heading into next year's spring training.

``I think it'd be great,'' Stoneman said. ``As kind of a general observation, as guys get older -- and I know we've all gone through it -- once you get older it's harder to keep your body in shape and you have to work a little harder.''

Last year Colon was allowed to rehabilitate in the Dominican Republic, but the Angels plan to monitor that a little better this time. Not only will his current rehab stint take him into October, he likely will come back for more workouts before spring training starts.

``I'm sure he's going home for a while at some points during the winter but he's going to get into the program far enough along to where he can take some trips back,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``He has a lot of work ahead of him and he's starting (to work out) so we'll see.''

Possible look at free agents: With Colon's status for 2007 not solidified because of his injury, they could look at some free agent pitchers this offseason.

``I wouldn't write it off right now,'' Stoneman said.

Some if the big-name free agents are: Barry Zito, Mark Redman, Mark Mulder, Andy Pettitte, Greg Maddux, Jason Marquis, Mike Mussina, Vicente Padilla, Brad Radke and Jason Schmidt.

Roster expansion: Neither Scioscia nor Stoneman would confirm the players that will be recalled on Friday when rosters expand. Three players expected to be recalled immediately are Darin Erstad, Jeff Mathis and Chris Bootcheck.

Complicating matters is the fact that Salt Lake has clinched a spot in the postseason. The team could end up playing for another two weeks and that's fine by Stoneman, who would like to see some guys playing every day instead of sitting on the bench in the major leagues.

Trips to Cincinnati, St.Louis: An early draft of the 2007 schedule is floating around and teams from the American League West will meet the National League Central in interleague play next season. The Angels will travel to Cincinnati and St. Louis, while Houston and Pittsburgh will come to Anaheim.

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