ANGELS NOTEBOOK: LINGERING INJURY HOLDS ERSTAD BACK.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

CLEVELAND - Darin Erstad's lower hamstring tendinitis isn't getting any better, and what concerns the Angels is they have no idea when it will show signs of improvement.

Erstad was planning on returning to the lineup next Tuesday, a day after he is eligible to be activated from the disabled list. But since his hamstring showed virtually no improvement, Erstad was examined Wednesday by Dr. John Burgfeld, the Cleveland Browns' orthopedist, who offered the same prognosis as Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum.

So today, Erstad will fly back to Southern California and be re-evaluated by Yocum on Tuesday. For now, no timetable has been set for his return.

``It's like somebody's taking a knife and stabbing me in the back of the knee,'' said Erstad, who can swing a bat and jog without pain, only to have the pain flare up when he runs hard.

``This is new to me; I was planning on playing Tuesday. It's going to take time. Now I have to re-evaluate what's going to happen. I have to prepare myself for anything, I guess.''

The pain in the tendon showed up suddenly April 7, the Angels' day off in Seattle. It didn't bother Erstad until April 19, when he came out of the game in the fifth inning, and he hasn't played since. It was believed to be a short-term problem. Now, it's an indefinite problem.

``We're going to deal with the reality of it,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``And the reality is, it's healing slow.''

Fortunately for the Angels, they've received strong play from Jeff DaVanon, who's started three of the seven games Erstad has missed and is hitting .385.

--Glaus starts at third: Troy Glaus started at third base for the first time since leaving Friday's game with an infected toe on his left foot. He had two hits, scored the Angels' first run and finished April hitting .289 with four home runs.

--Appier returns next week: Kevin Appier (strained flexor muscle) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today, and Scioscia said the former Antelope Valley High standout will rejoin the rotation May 8, a day before Aaron Sele makes his season debut.

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- Gabe Lacques