ANGELS NOTEBOOK: EDMONDS TAKES REST.

Byline: Andrew Baggarly Staff Writer

Jim Edmonds was not in the Angels lineup Sunday, his first day off since returning from shoulder surgery Aug. 2.

Edmonds said his shoulder felt fatigued, the result of playing in 19 consecutive games. With the Angels all but eliminated from the playoffs, it was a no-brainer to give the center fielder a chance to recharge.

``I'll catch up a day and see how it goes,'' Edmonds said. ``It just feels tired, that's all. I've got to use common sense.''

It's not exactly a setback, especially considering Edmonds wasn't supposed to return to the outfield until last Friday, a target date he reached two weeks early.

He hadn't missed a game since his return, making 19 consecutive starts - five at designated hitter, one at first base, 13 in center field.

Defensively, he hasn't lacked for arm strength. He made an impressive throw to gun down Dean Palmer at second base Saturday night. But at the plate his shoulder appears to bother him.

In 71 at-bats, Edmonds is hitting .225 with one extra-base hit (a double) and seven RBI. He has shortened his follow-through to take stress off his shoulder, robbing him of his familiar opposite-field power.

At the same time, he's trying to get his timing down, something hitters normally accomplish during spring training.

``People keep saying I'm still in spring training, but it's more like I'm not even into February yet,'' Edmonds said. ``I don't have it together at the plate, but I don't plan on hitting .220 the whole season.''

DiSarcina out: As expected, shortstop Gary DiSarcina did not start because of a deep contusion on his right shoulder blade.

He made a career-high three errors Saturday night, two of them on bad throws that might have had to do with the injury. He is listed as day-to-day.

A pick-off throw by Joe Borkowski hit DiSarcina on Aug. 13 in Detroit, then a Jaime Navarro fastball nailed him in almost the same spot Tuesday in Chicago.

DiSarcina further aggravated the injury when he made a diving stop of a Gregg Jefferies grounder Friday night.

``Usually I find a way to get the ball over there,'' DiSarcina said of his three-error game. ``But I didn't even come close.''

Need reinforcements: With two regulars out and the club carrying 12 pitchers, Angels manager Terry Collins didn't have many options on the bench Sunday.

Switch-hitting Matt Walbeck and right-handed Andy Sheets were the only position players remaining, though Edmonds was available if necessary.