ANGELS NOTEBOOK: MORE DETAILS ON MATTHEWS SURFACE.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA 

Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Another day, another fire for the Angels to put out about Gary Matthews Jr.

Angels officials were left to answer more questions Thursday, the day of the Cactus League opener, after a Sports Illustrated Web site story not only listed what human growth hormone was allegedly shipped to Matthews, but when and where it was sent.

On Tuesday, Matthews' name surfaced as an alleged customer of an Internet pharmacy that was raided on suspicion of illegally distributing human growth hormone.

According to the story on SI.com, Matthews was prescribed Genotropin, a synthetic hormone used to treat growth deficiencies, most often in children. It was allegedly shipped to a Texas address in 2004 that was believed to be the residence of an unnamed former minor-league teammate of Matthews.

Matthews, who said Wednesday that he would not comment on the situation further, declined to address the additional information.

Manager Mike Scioscia, never one to be short with his answers, was asked if a prolonged silence from Matthews would end up making him look guilty.

"Yes," was Scioscia's answer.

Despite daily meetings with Matthews, including another Thursday with general manager Bill Stoneman, the Angels say they are not getting their information through their center fielder but from the Internet reports.

Matthews has apologized for having his name linked to a possible distraction, and yet he apparently has left the team scrambling for three consecutive days trying to answer a new round of questions.

"We're still waiting to get all the facts, all the details on it and I don't know how long that's going to take," Stoneman said. "I talked to Gary this morning and I have been in touch, obviously, with his agent and (Major League Baseball). The conversations are private conversations."

On the rehab front: Scioscia admitted that for the first time he could see Bartolo Colon getting on a mound before Jered Weaver. Weaver was supposed to be doing some fine-tuning until his biceps felt better, but his progress has been slow.

"Two weeks ago I would have said no way," Scioscia said. "Right now, the way Bart is progressing, it's probably not likely, but as good as Bart feels, you start to see some light at the end of the tunnel when he'll get on the mound. Once Jered gets over this bump in the road, he'll come quickly, whereas Bart needs to step up his stamina."

Lackey to miss start: John Lackey, who has been dealing with a bout of bronchitis since Wednesday, is not expected to make his scheduled Cactus League debut Saturday. Scioscia said Lackey's first spring start is now expected to take place early next week.

Angels rally: Sean Rodriguez started a three-run, winning rally in the ninth inning with a leadoff double, and Hainley Statia finished it off with a sacrifice fly to give the Angels a 7-6 victory over the Royals.

[e-mail]

[phone], Ext. 2731

CAPTION(S):

box

Box:

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE