ANGELS NOTEBOOK: EDMONDS PAYS A RARE VISIT.

Byline: Joe Haakenson

There was a rare Jim Edmonds sighting Tuesday afternoon in the Angels clubhouse. Edmonds had shoulder surgery April 22, and Tuesday's was the first time he made an appearance in the clubhouse before a game with other players around.

While Edmonds said he was here to see some friends, an Angels official confirmed Edmonds picked up his paycheck. He's making $3.55 million this season.

Some Angels players have voiced their displeasure with Edmonds' decision to have surgery after the season started instead of during the offseason. But while those same players have said the situation was blown out of proportion, many find it strange that Edmonds is not doing his rehabilitation work with team trainers at the team facility.

Edmonds' therapy is performed by Dr. David Bradley at Newport Physical Therapy in Newport Beach. Asked about Edmonds' condition, Bradley said: ``I was told (by the Angels) not to say anything. Everything has to go through the head trainer.''

Edmonds spent most of his time in the clubhouse speaking with Garret Anderson.

Contract talks: Angels manager Terry Collins is negotiating a contract extension. Collins initially signed a two-year deal before the 1997 season and the club picked up the option for 1999. He is believed to be making about $400,000 per season.

``I love it here,'' Collins said. ``Managers' jobs are hard to get, and I've got a good one. I've got good people to work with, good coaches, good players - it's a great place.''

Collins said getting a deal taken care off, possibly a two-year extension, makes his job easier.

``It helps,'' he said. ``When I was in Houston, it was constantly an issue all the time.''

Collins said he didn't believe a report that players have gone to general manager Bill Bavasi to complain about him. But he admits he will always have detractors in the clubhouse.

``There's never going to be a manager in the game that can please 25 guys. It's impossible,'' he said. ``You make decisions, and any decision you make, somebody's not going to like it.''

Skipping Sparks: The Angels will skip pitcher Steve Sparks' spot in the starting rotation because his spot falls on Thursday's off-day and Collins doesn't want any of his other starters to get off their regular routine.

Sparks is coming off one of his best performances of the season - 8-1/3 innings, three runs, five hits in a victory over Kansas City on Saturday. Sparks took a shutout into the ninth inning.

Said Collins: ``One guy was going to have to be the guy and Sparks was the guy. (But) I know Steve won his last start and deserves to be out there.''

ANGELS vs. MINNESOTA

Time: 7:35 p.m., at Edison Field.

TV/Radio: FSW; KLAC-AM (5700, XPRS-AM (1090 Spanish).

Matchup: Chuck Finley (3-5, 5.15 ERA) will start for Anaheim against Minnesota's Brad Radke (4-4, 3.82). Tonight's game is the last one of the nine-game homestand. The Angels begin a stretch of nine games against National League teams, starting with the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium Friday-Sunday. Last season the Angels were 10-6 in interleague games, including 3-1 vs. the Dodgers.

- Joe Haakenson

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BOX: ANGELS vs. MINNESOTA (see text)