ANGELS NOTEBOOK: DAVANON EARNING MORE TIME.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Jeff DaVanon's recent hot streak might have a ripple effect on several players' roles once center fielder Darin Erstad comes off the disabled list, which could happen as soon as Monday.

DaVanon, on a 28-for-56 tear entering Thursday's game against Montreal, has emerged as an indispensable part of the Angels' lineup. If he continues in that role, at-bats will be harder to come by for several players.

``Roles change,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``The way Jeff's been playing, you have to be excited about all the possibilities. It makes it tougher. If Jeff continues to battle, he's creating a role for himself.''

Somebody's role must change, and it could be first baseman Scott Spiezio.

Entering Thursday, DaVanon was hitting .389. Brad Fullmer was at .296 and Shawn Wooten at .316. Spiezio came in hitting .236, his name off the lineup card for the second consecutive night as the Angels did not have the luxury of the designated hitter in a National League park. Fullmer again played first.

Spiezio is the only regular yet to shake his early-season doldrums, and the Angels could maximize their offense by putting Fullmer at first and Wooten at DH, or put DaVanon in right, Fullmer at first and right fielder Tim Salmon at DH.

``If it comes down to it later on, if I lose some at-bats because DaVanon is on fire, as long as we're winning, I don't care,'' Spiezio said. ``I'd like to play every day, but I'm not the manager. If I'm in, I'm playing hard. If not, I'm prepared to play later in the game. I'm the most consistent when I play every day. But I'm a little more understanding than I used to be, because if it's good for the team, I want to win.''

--Marlins didn't bite: Eric Owens didn't expect the Florida Marlins to offer him salary arbitration after last season. But he did expect them to try re-signing him this season at a lower salary. And he certainly expected them to respond to his overtures.

He said none of the above occurred, so today, his return to Pro Player Stadium will be admittedly bittersweet.

``The biggest surprise was they never called and said, come back for less,'' said Owens, who played in Florida for two seasons. ``But the thing is, they never returned a phone call, which is pretty unprofessional. But it worked out for the best. I'm with the world champs and they're sitting there, changing managers.''

Admittedly, Owens wishes he was returning when he was was ``hitting .380 and leading the league in steals.'' Instead, he's hitting just .216 and has been passed on the outfield depth chart by DaVanon. But he says the coaching staff told him he's doing what they've asked him to do.

--Odds and ends: Second baseman Adam Kennedy's error in the first inning was his first this season. ... Before the game, the Angels worked out two out-of-work Puerto Rican pitchers; Ramser Correa, 32, a a former Dodgers prospect, and former Cardinals left-hander Jose Rodriguez both threw for Scioscia.

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com

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ANGELS vs. FLORIDA

- Gabe Lacques