ANGELS NOTEBOOK: MORE WORK IS ALL RIGHT WITH RELIEVER SHIELDS.

Byline: Doug Padilla  Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Despite Scot Shields' heavy workload the past two seasons, and his involvement in the World Baseball Classic next month, the Angels have no worries about the right-hander's durability.

Not only did Shields lead all American League relievers in innings pitched the past two seasons, he set an Angels record for appearances last year with 78.

When asked if Shields' 4.38 ERA last August and his 4.63 ERA last September were related to his heavy use over a two-year stretch, pitching coach Bud Black responded with a quick ``No.''

``Scotty is blessed with a resilient arm,'' Black said. ``Being around Scotty for as long as we have, and our relationship with him, he lets us know when he is tiring and we can kind of see it at times. We monitor all that stuff. Very rarely do we take it for granted his resiliency.''

In a perfect world, Shields would work the eighth inning this season, as the setup man to closer Francisco Rodriguez. But with his versatility and ability to handle two innings if necessary, there still is the possibility Shields could be asked to do more if other relievers need a day off.

That scenario would be just fine with the 30-year-old, who once pitched 16 innings of a college game in 1996 for Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee.

``The appearances are fine with me,'' Shields said. ``The more, the merrier for me. If I can be out there every day I would, but I know that's not going to be the case. It kills me sitting down in the bullpen. When I don't pitch, I'm getting the itch. As long as I'm out there, I'm fine.''

--No discipline for Jered Weaver: The Angels do not plan any disciplinary measures for pitcher Jered Weaver, who was cited for public intoxication 11 days ago and spent eight hours in a Long Beach jail.

The team's 2004 first-round draft pick was out with some former Long Beach State teammates when he was taken into custody on a downtown Long Beach sidewalk. He was not arrested.

Weaver met with Black, manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Bill Stoneman on Sunday morning to explain his side of the story. Stoneman said the incident was investigated by the Angels on Saturday and the feeling was that Weaver's citation was enough punishment.

``Any of us could have been taken in if they were going to do it the way they did it,'' the 23-year-old Weaver said. ``It was just a fluke thing and it (was terrible) that it had to happen when it happened. I apologized to the team if it was a burden on anyone. It's definitely not going to happen again. I learned my lesson once.''

Scioscia was satisfied with Weaver's explanation of the events.

``He's going to move on,'' the manager said. ``He's going to use this experience to learn from it. He's been around baseball, and he knows how it reflects on his family and himself and the organization. He's a good kid that's hard working and this guy's going to use it to grow from.''

--Colon to throw again: Bartolo Colon will have his third bullpen session of the spring today and the Angels will evaluate that, as well as his recovery early Tuesday, to determine if they will petition World Baseball Classic officials for his release from the tournament.

The deadline to file an injury petition is Tuesday. Colon has said he feels fine from a shoulder injury that knocked him out of last season's playoffs, and he has every intention of participating in the event. Stoneman said Colon will have an input on the team's decision.

--More Colon: Never one to label his starters, Scioscia basically conceded that Colon would be his Opening Day starter April 3 at Seattle if he is healthy. It would have been hard to deny that assignment to a Cy Young Award winner who won 21 games last season.

``We'll certainly look to a guy like Bart to take the ball and go in that first game, but it's too early to commit to anything because you never know what the spring will bring,'' Scioscia said.

Doug Padilla, [phone], Ext. 2758

doug.padilla(at)sgvn.com