ANGELS NOTEBOOK: COLON'S BLISTER IS NO CONCERN.

Byline: Doug Padilla  Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Once the Angels get a chance to put a finger on anything that might be ailing Bartolo Colon, they will get him lined up to start Opening Day.

Colon is due to get back into camp Tuesday after pitching for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He pitched Saturday, when he went six scoreless innings against Cuba in an eventual Dominican defeat, and reportedly developed a blister.

``That's what we heard,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We haven't gotten any word from the Dominican club. (Pitching coach Bud Black) is going to try and touch base and see what happened.

``He's not scheduled to pitch until most likely Friday back with us. We should be able to evaluate him and see where he is when he gets back into camp.''

A start Friday against the Kansas City Royals would put Colon on schedule to start the opener April 3 at Seattle.

--Native son: Angels first baseman Kendry Morales will watch tonight's WBC final in a quiet setting with some family members. But if his native Cuba defeats Japan, he will celebrate.

Morales said he played with every member of Cuba's national team that has made a run to the WBC championship.

``The other teams thought they were better, but those guys work all year for this,'' Morales said. ``The country is very happy. It's Cuba's team.''

Morales tried to defect eight times before he finally made it out June 8, 2004. He secured Dominican citizenship, which allowed him to avoid the amateur draft, and joined the Angels organization last May. Despite leaving, his heart still will be with his countrymen.

--Rained out: With Sunday's second rainout of the spring, relievers Francisco Rodriguez and Joe Saunders will get in some work in a minor- league game today.

The Angels do not have a Cactus League game scheduled today.

John Lackey will start in a minor-league game to keep him on line to start the second game of the season. Hector Carrasco, Scot Shields and J.C. Romero, who were each scheduled to pitch Sunday, will work either in a minor-league game today, or Tuesday in a Cactus League game.

--Sent down: Seven players were reassigned to minor-league camp, including infielder Howie Kendrick. Pitchers Nathan Bland, Jonathon Rouwenhorst and Dustin Mosley also were sent down, along with infielder Erick Aybar, outfielder Tommy Murphy and catcher Ryan Budde.

The moves leave the Angels with 37 players remaining in big-league camp.

Doug Padilla, [phone], Ext. 2725

doug.padilla(at)sgvn.com