ANGELS NOTEBOOK: COLLINS CHOOSES `EVERYDAY' SHEETS.

Byline: Jim Barrero

The Angels are excited for the 1999 season to begin, what with the expectations of a banner year ahead.

But perhaps the most excited player is recently acquired utility infielder Andy Sheets.

Manager Terry Collins confirmed that Sheets would be his everyday shortstop until Gary DiSarcina returns in three to four months from surgery on his left forearm.

``He's going to be out there on a daily basis,'' Collins said prior to Friday night's Freeway game against the Dodgers. ``He can run and catch the ball and he has a great arm. If he hits, that's a plus.''

The Angels acquired Sheets from the San Diego Padres earlier this week in a trade for catcher Phil Nevin. Sheets, a key bench player for San Diego's World Series team a year ago, batted .242 with 31 runs, seven home runs and 29 RBI in 88 games.

``I'm really excited about it,'' said Sheets, who spent part of 1997 with the Seattle Mariners, including a stint at third base for the injured Russ Davis. ``I'm finally getting a chance to play short and I just want to take advantage of it.

Sheets, 27, said he doesn't need to live up to DiSarcina's reputation.

``I'm not going to come in and fill his shoes,'' Sheets said. ``He's a big part of this team, so I'm just here to hold down short until he gets back. . . . But still, I don't think anyone's as excited as me for the season to start.''

Line drive: Left-hander Chuck Finley is still recovering from a line drive he took on the left bicep in the team's final spring game in Tempe, Ariz., on Wednesday.

Collins said Finley will not pitch today in the team's exhibition game against the Aguascalientes Railroadmen, but could see action against Cal State Fullerton on Sunday or possibly Monday in a simulated game.

Finley suffered a large bruise on his arm, but threw on the side Friday with no ill effects.

``He said he felt fine, but we'll just have to wait and see because you don't know if it will swell up and not feel fine tomorrow,'' Collins said. ``If we have to skip him on start it won't kill us.''

Edmonds has MRI: Center fielder Jim Edmonds sat out Friday's game, still trying to shake a groin injury and some back pain he has been experiencing lately.

Edmonds underwent an MRI on his back and a number of other tests Friday at UC Irvine Medical Center to help determine his course of action.

``I don't know what's going on,'' said Edmonds, who spent six hours at UCI. ``I'm just trying to prepare myself for (opening day). The back is more of a precautionary thing. It's not something that's bothered me before.''

Acquisition: The Angels claimed right-handed pitcher Al Levine of the Texas Rangers off waivers Friday.

Levine, 30, split the 1998 season between Arlington and Triple-A Oklahoma City. With the Rangers, Levine was 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 30 games.