ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ESCOBAR SPEAKS UP.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA  Staff Writer

CHICAGO -- Kelvim Escobar may or may not have an issue with A.J. Pierzynski, but it seems certain he now has one with Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.

Escobar pitches against the White Sox today for the first time since April 29 when he hit Pierzynski with a pitch. Escobar denied any wrongdoing but the White Sox cried foul, thinking the pitch was intentional for events in last season's playoffs.

After that game, Escobar said he might talk to Guillen when the teams played again to give his side of the story. Both Escobar and Guillen hail from Venezuela.

Escobar was asked Wednesday if he had a chance to talk to Guillen, whom he has known for most of his adult life.

``I'm not talking to anybody after what they said in the papers, I don't like it,'' Escobar said. ``I don't think that was the right way to talk about someone. I already had my say. I didn't do it on purpose. I know Ozzie didn't believe (it). I didn't like what he said. He called me stupid, he said I wasn't too smart. I don't have to talk to anybody that way.''

Guillen said April 29 that it was ``dumb'' to hit Pierzynski with a pitch. He still thinks Escobar did it intentionally.

``I didn't call him what I should be calling him,'' Guillen said, meaning that he could have been even more harsh toward Escobar. ``I didn't think it was right to do it. The thing I said is he should look at himself in the mirror.''

The outspoken White Sox manager is making a name for himself with his tirades and even had to apologize for one this spring when he criticized the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez for being indecisive on his decision to play for the United States or Puerto Rico.

``It didn't surprise me,'' Escobar said about Guillen's April 29 comments. ``It's just Ozzie being Ozzie. Everybody knows how he is. It did and it didn't (surprise me), you know? But he supported his players. I don't think I have anything to say.''

Pierzynski also maintains he was hit intentionally and seemed tired of talking about the subject. He still is miffed that Escobar said this spring that he has never liked Pierzynski. The White Sox catcher was asked if he has ever had a problem with an opposing pitcher.

Watch out, Orlando Cabrera: Bartolo Colon actually played a little shortstop in an effort to get his shoulder rehabilitated so he can return from the disabled list. After playing long toss from about 220 feet, Colon took grounders early Wednesday afternoon and then threw each ball to first base.