ANGELS NOTEBOOK: BYRD READY TO FILL NO. 5 ROLE.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Paul Byrd won 17 games for the last-place Kansas City Royals in 2002 and was an All-Star with the Phillies in 1999. But when he signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Angels this winter, he was billed as their No. 5 starter.

``It means we have a really good team,'' said Byrd, who made his third spring start Monday in the Angels' 10-6 victory over the Texas Rangers. ``I don't consider myself a No. 5 starter. Everybody up here thinks a lot of themselves, and rightfully so. I don't take it as a slap in the face.

``We have a very good team, and when your fifth starter has a chance to win 20 games, that says something.''

Byrd missed all of the 2003 season and half of 2004 after recovering from ``Tommy John'' surgery on his right elbow. He went 8-7 with a 3.94 ERA in 19 starts last season with the Braves and says now he is healthy at age 34.

``Physically, I feel great,'' he said. ``My arm feels like it's 18 again. It's fun to be back in the game again. You're not wondering if it's going to hurt.''

Byrd is known as a sinkerball pitcher, but he said he's trying to mix in other pitches this spring to keep hitters off balance.

``I don't want to be just a sinkerball pitcher, throwing it 80 percent of the time,'' he said. ``I want to change to 50-50, have something else to show `em, something else to go to.''

Byrd has never thrown his fastball at a high velocity, but he said there's more to it than just what the radar gun shows.

``Guys were (swinging) late, guys were jammed, and there were some broken bats (Monday),'' Byrd said. ``That's important. Eighty-six (mph) can be really good, and there's an 86 that can't pitch in college. The life on the ball is important, and I have that.''

Byrd hit 88 mph on the radar gun Monday while giving up two runs and four hits in four innings.

``His fastball has a natural cut to it - it rides a little bit,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``He also has a two-seamer that runs the other way. His fastball has good life.''

--Ailing Angels: The club has been hit hard by flu-like symptoms. Hitting coach Mickey Hatcher, Darin Erstad, Adam Kennedy and Mike Napoli stayed home Monday. Pitcher Kelvim Escobar also was sick but is expected to make his first spring start today in Tucson against the White Sox.

``If he comes in (today) and he's green, he won't go to Tucson,'' Scioscia said. ``But it's a short enough workout that he should be able to get it in.''

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- Joe Haakenson