ANGELS NOTEBOOK: MCDOWELL GETS A NEW CHANCE WITH ANGELS.

Byline: Associated Press

Former Cy Young Award winner Jack McDowell, who sat out most of last season with an elbow injury, has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Angels.

McDowell, a former Notre Dame High star who underwent minor surgery on his right elbow May 20, was expected to miss about a month but sat out all of 1997. The Cleveland Indians later declined to exercise his $4.8 million option for this season.

The contract with the Angels is worth $1 million in base salary, but could reach $6 million with incentives.

McDowell, 3-3 with a 5.09 ERA in eight games with the Indians last year, said he was eager to get back on the mound.

``They've got a great young team, a great group of guys, it's just a good situation for me,'' McDowell said Wednesday. ``You look around at people who have a need for something and where you can fit in, where you have a chance to win, and the Angels fit as well as anybody.''

McDowell and Angels general manager Bill Bavasi dismissed concerns about his health.

``I really don't think my value as far as being a workhorse has dropped and my health isn't an issue at all,'' McDowell said.

The right-hander worked out for Angels scouts several weeks ago to allay concerns about his arm.

``We're excited about his health,'' Bavasi said.

McDowell won the AL Cy Young Award with Chicago, going 22-10 with a 3.37 ERA in 1993 - his third consecutive 250-inning season. But McDowell had the worst season of his career in 1996 with a 13-9 record and 5.11 ERA, then struggled early in 1997 and was demoted to the bullpen.

McDowell said he planned to be at the Angels' spring-training camp in Mesa, Ariz., by Friday.

Four-year deal for Erstad: First baseman Darin Erstad, the first overall selection in the 1995 free-agent draft, has agreed to terms of a four-year contract with the Angels.

Erstad, 23, hit .299 with 34 doubles, four triples, 16 homers, 99 runs, 77 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 139 games last season - his first full year in the big leagues.

``Darin epitomizes the hard-working, dedicated athlete,'' Bavasi said. ``He knows one style of play.''

In addition to the four-year contract, Erstad's agent, Jeff Moorad, said his client will be donating $200,000 during the term of the contract toward the development and upgrading of Little League facilities in the Southern California area.

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