ANGELS NOTEBOOK: COLON SHARES BLAME.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- It is hard to tell if Bartolo Colon was bothered more by his sore right shoulder or his own guilt while spending two months on the disabled list.

Colon finally is set to pitch either Sunday against the San Diego Padres or Monday against the San Francisco Giants, which would be his first outing since April 15.

``It gets to the point to where I feel part of the blame as to the team not catching on and doing better, only because I know how much they count on me,'' Colon said Thursday through broadcaster Jose Mota, who was serving as interpreter. ``Not to disrespect anybody, but it was nice to see (Darin Erstad) get back. He was a key missing piece.

``I think by me coming back we're going to feel like more of that complete team we had in spring training. As a veteran player, you take some of the blame and I feel bad because I've had to watch from far away for so many weeks now. I contributed to the way the team got off to a poor start.''

While not ready to pronounce himself 100 percent healthy, Colon said he is good enough to compete for victories and promises he is not going to be working himself into top form.

``I definitely feel stronger than coming out of spring training,'' Colon said. ``I cannot make any predictions (about results) but I do feel very strong, thank God.''

Colon was initially injured in last season's American League Division Series when he had to leave Game 5 against the New York Yankees with a partial shoulder tear. He spent the offseason rehabbing in the Dominican Republic and pushed himself to be ready to represent his country in the World Baseball Classic.

While he refuses to blame the WBC as the reason he was re-injured, it is apparent the tournament had a role in his setback.

``When I declared myself ready to go on pitch limits in the WBC, it was obviously because I could pitch,'' Colon said. ``But the more innings that accumulated, that's when the pain came back.''

As of Wednesday, Colon was being considered to start Saturday, Sunday or Monday. A Saturday start was eliminated when a bullpen session was scheduled for today.

The Angels still say they have not decided whose spot Colon will take in the rotation. Jered Weaver, meanwhile, took batting practice for a second consecutive day.

--Molina catches: Jose Molina was in the lineup at catcher Thursday, but it has been rookie Mike Napoli who has received the majority of starts at the position of late.