ANGELS NOTEBOOK: COLON'S ELBOW FLARES UP.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- It could not have been a shock that Bartolo Colon was receiving electrical stimulation to assist in the recovery of another injury.

Colon had two pads on his right elbow following Wednesday's one-inning outing against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and was holding a battery pack that was delivering the shock treatment to what is now being called a minor injury.

After missing last season's American League Championship Series because of a shoulder injury that again flared up early this season, Colon is in danger of missing even more playing time.

``It was the first thing that crossed my mind at how I'm just getting over the one thing and something else pops up,'' Colon said through Angels broadcaster Jose Mota, who was serving as translator.

``I want to be able to go out on the mound in my next outing, so hopefully this is something that was very minor. I'll work hard to get back on the mound.''

Colon said his most recent injury started in the bullpen when he was warming up to face the Devil Rays. He felt a pinch in his elbow whenever he tried to throw a breaking ball, so he tried to survive on fastballs, as he often is capable of doing.

It didn't take long to realize his strategy would not work. Colon was given a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but he gave it right back and more as the Devil Rays scored four times in the first. He gave up back-to-back home runs to Rocco Baldelli and Ty Wigginton in a span of three pitches.

When the Angels took over 34 minutes to complete a 10-run second inning, Colon was replaced by Kevin Gregg to limit further elbow damage.

Colon said he was given a thorough examination after he left the game and believes his injury is not serious. He does not have an MRI scheduled.

More Gregg: With Angels starters pitching so well of late, Kevin Gregg had been a forgotten man, with five innings pitched this month before Wednesday. That probably wasn't a bad thing, since Gregg has been dealing with some left knee pain.

After throwing 3 1/3 innings against the Devil Rays on Wednesday, his longest outing since May 20, he had to leave the game.

``A day's rest or two and I should be right back on it,'' said Gregg, whose knee had been giving him trouble for about two weeks. ``I tweaked it right there and with that much workload we might as well have just moved on (with another pitcher).''