ANGELS NOTEBOOK: GUILLEN OFFERS HIS APOLOGIES.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

TORONTO - Two days after Jose Guillen blindsided the Angels by claiming his pitchers weren't protecting him, the Angels took full control of their left fielder, closing their clubhouse for a 45-minute pregame meeting where Guillen apologized to teammates before he was trotted out for a public apology.

Before Wednesday's game, Guillen apologized to teammates, club officials and the coaching staff in a terse public statement. Hisearlier apology prompted players and coaches to say, at least publicly, that the issue will be put to rest.

``I'm not going to say what he said in there, but for me, case closed. We're moving on,'' pitching coach Bud Black said.

``As far as I'm concerned, it's a done issue,'' starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn said.

Guillen, hit by pitches six times this season, unleashed a profane diatribe Monday night after he was hit in the back by a Justin Miller pitch and then felt starter John Lackey's attempt to move Toronto's Simon Pond off the plate did not sufficiently settle the score.

On Wednesday, Guillen met with manager Mike Scioscia and then addressed teammates.

``He wants the team to understand he wants to win more than anyone,'' Scioscia said. ``He also understands from the day Vladimir Guerrero or Jose Guillen steps in the batter's box until they quit baseball, pitchers will crowd them. I think Jose feels better about our intentions, understands the philosophy. He talked, I talked. When you talk things out, you understand there may not be as much separation as you think.''

Given the Angels' businesslike approach in the clubhouse, separation might be the operative word for Guillen. He spent most of Wednesday's batting practice session chatting with Toronto pitcher and fellow Dominican Republic native Miguel Batista. For his part, Guillen seemed more perturbed he made the comments publicly rather than their content.

``Those comments are supposed to be inside the clubhouse,'' he said. ``If I hurt anyone, I apologize, especially to my pitching coach, my manager. I didn't mean to hurt anyone like this. We've got a great attitude, a great chemistry going. I just want to get over this.''

--Mondesi a possibility: Raul Mondesi told reporters in the Dominican Republic that the Angels, Baltimore and Boston are the finalists for his services and he will make a decision by the end of the week. Angels general manager Bill Stoneman has contacted Mondesi's representatives, and Scioscia said the Angels could play him in center field.

While Scioscia and his coaching staff offer Mondesi the perk of familiarity from their days in the Dodgers organization, the club might not be able to offer as much playing time as other clubs and therefore wouldn't be willing to offer as much in years or dollars.

``It would create a lot more depth than we have, give you a lot more flexibility, more options,'' Scioscia said. ``There's no question he'd fit, but wanting a player and him wanting to join a team are two different things.''

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com

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- Gabe Lacques