ANGELS NOTEBOOK: INJURY BUG HITS CAMP.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Angels got about halfway through spring training without any serious health issues, but that changed Wednesday. Mo Vaughn, Jarrod Washburn and Jeff DaVanon all had health problems of varying degrees.

Vaughn was scratched from the game against the Colorado Rockies because of a corneal abrasion to his left eye. He rubbed his eye Tuesday night after pieces of drywall fell into it from the ceiling at his aunt's house.

``I told him he should buy his aunt a new house,'' manager Mike Scioscia said.

Vaughn was given medication for the eye and is expected to be back in the lineup today.

DaVanon was examined by team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles and was found to have a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He suffered the injury Friday diving for a ball in a game against Seattle. He is out indefinitely.

Washburn has a strained left external oblique muscle, just below the rib cage. Washburn, who is competing for a spot in the starting rotation, also will be out indefinitely. He has struggled in his two starts, particularly on Tuesday when he gave up three runs and five hits in 2 2/3 innings. He also walked four.

``His command was affected by how he was feeling,'' Scioscia said. ``It's important for him now to take a step back.''

It's a blow to Washburn's chances of making the starting rotation, especially since he was hampered by a similar injury last season.

``Mentally, it's tough for him,'' Scioscia said. ``He had the same thing last year. We had a talk with him and said, `Let's take it one step at a time.' Obviously he won't get his next start. But as of right now, Wash is still in the mix.''

--Up Hill battle: Ken Hill threw three perfect innings in the Angels' 6-3 victory over the Rockies Wednesday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium. After the game, Scioscia said Hill would be his opening-day starter against the Yankees.

In a split-squad game at Phoenix, the Oakland beat the Angels 7-2. Ramon Ortiz started and gave up one run and two hits in three innings, the only run coming on a home run by John Jaha.

``My location is very good right now,'' Ortiz said. ``Inside, outside, my fastball, slider, changeup . . . everything.''

ANGELS VS. MILWAUKEE

When/Where: 12:05 p.m., Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Radio/TV: KLAC-570, XPRS-1090.

Today's game: Brewers at Angels. Brian Cooper will start for Anaheim against Milwaukee's Steve Woodward. Cooper, who went to USC, is among the group of young pitchers competing for a spot in the starting rotation.

Wednesday's results: The Angels beat the Rockies 6-3 and lost to the A's 7-2 in split-squad games. In the victory, starter Ken Hill threw three perfect innings and Jim Edmonds and Garret Anderson homered.

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Box: Angels vs. Milwaukee (see text)