ANGELS NOTEBOOK: COLON'S SEASON FINISHED?

Byline: DOUG PADILLA Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- Bartolo Colon has been diagnosed with yet another injury, and this one is likely to end his season.

An MRI on Colon's right shoulder performed by team doctor Lewis Yocum on Friday revealed a partial thickness tear of the rotator cuff. Surgery is not on the agenda just yet, but Colon will undergo an ``aggressive therapy program.'' Officially, the Angels are not saying that Colon's season is done.

The most recent diagnosis is said to be a different injury from the partial shoulder tear Colon suffered in last season's American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. That tear was said to be more toward the lower part of the shoulder muscle.

``I think this is something that has come up relatively short-term,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``This is not the same area he had hurt last year. But this certainly explains a lot of the issues he's having and it needs to be addressed.''

Colon, who is 1-5 with a 5.11 ERA in just 10 starts this season, declined an interview request. Last season's Cy Young Award winner already has been on the disabled list this season with inflammation in his shoulder and went on the DL again last week with elbow tendinitis.

Joe Saunders, who is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two starts, will inherit Colon's starting spot for as long as the right-hander is out of action.

Scioscia said he will operate as if Colon will not return this season.

``I assume (therapy) will be lengthy and we're making a turn now with seven weeks to go in the season, and it seems doubtful he will return,'' Scioscia said. ``It would be a tall order for him to come back and pitch this season.''

Claiming Jones: Atlanta Braves center fielder Andruw Jones reportedly was claimed on waivers ``by several teams,'' according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and speculation has centered around the Angels being one of those teams. The Houston Astros also have been rumored.

If multiple teams put in a claim, that claim ends up being awarded to the club with the worst record. If no deal is agreed upon, the Braves can pull Jones back off waivers and he can't be dealt for the remainder of the season.

General manager Bill Stoneman never discusses potential acquisitions, so instead he was asked if he could deny an interest in Jones, who will make $13.5 million next season in the final year in his contract.

``I will not comment in any way on a player on another team,'' Stoneman said. ``That's not fair to anybody.''