ANGELS NOTEBOOK: GUERRERO SAYS HE IS IN GOOD SHAPE.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA

Staff Writer

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Vladimir Guerrero did not make the 100-mile trip south for the Angels' game Saturday. Not that anything was wrong.

Guerrero spoke Saturday through Angels broadcaster Jose Mota, who was serving as interpreter, and the veteran outfielder reports his health has not been this good in some time.

If you see Guerrero hobbling around this spring, there is no reason to worry. He explained that having a hitch in his step just runs in the family.

"I have a family history where there is one leg proven that is longer than the other," Guerrero said. "So when I hobble, it's not my knee. My mom's side of the family, we have a leg longer than the other so it looks like I'm hobbling, but I'm not. But my knee is fine."

Both of his knees were a problem last year. By the end of the season, he was irritated by debris in his right knee, which was operated on when he played for the Montreal Expos. He had tendinitis in his left knee.

He declined a cleanup surgery on his right knee this offseason when one doctor said it might not be necessary. The knee started feeling better just as the offseason began, and now both knees are feeling fine.

Matthews' lawyer speaks: Gary Matthews Jr.'s lawyer is convinced the Angels outfielder hasn't violated any laws or major league rules even though his name surfaced in a widespread steroids investigation that has resulted in nine arrests.

Matthews was allegedly sent human growth hormone from a pharmacy.

"Gary wishes to cooperate with Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Angels and any other investigative agency that may look into this matter," lawyer Robert Shapiro said Saturday. "He is eager to tell his side of the story and looks forward to providing a statement once all investigations into the matter have been completed.

"However, it is my long standing policy not to allow clients to comment while an investigation is ongoing. To do so would be inappropriate and I believe irresponsible."

Weaver backs off statement: One day after saying he was told he might not break camp with the team, Jered Weaver backed off that statement, saying he is focused on making his April 6 start at home against the Oakland Athletics.

"Everything's on schedule," said Weaver, who has been dealing with a sore biceps since before camp began. "I should get off a mound in a week."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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