ANGELS NOTEBOOK: NEW FACES LOOK AWFULLY FAMILIAR IN ANGELS' LINEUP : MCDOWELL, ERSTAD RETURN TO ACTION JUST IN TIME FOR RACE.

Byline: Joe Haakenson San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Angels manager Terry Collins said he couldn't imagine a trade that would make his team any better than it will be with the addition of two new players he'll have in tonight's lineup against the Tigers.

Pitcher Jack McDowell will make his first start since May 31, when elbow problems landed him on the disabled list. Darin Erstad will play for the first time since Aug. 3, when he suffered a strained left hamstring. He'll start at first base.

``All of a sudden, you're getting quality people back,'' Collins said. ``It's like getting new blood.''

McDowell signed an incentive-laden contract - $1 million base with potential to reach $6 million - but it hasn't exactly worked out with all his time on the DL. But with the team in a pennant race, McDowell says he's satisfied to come back.

``I'm happy I'm in a position where I can help us out,'' he said. ``Coming back wouldn't have made any difference if we were 10 games out.''

McDowell said despite a 2-1/2-month layoff he won't be nervous when he takes the mound.

``It's not something to be nervous about,'' he said. ``It's something to be locked in about.''

McDowell has been on the active roster since Saturday, when he began serving his four-game suspension for his role in the June 2 fight in Kansas City. But with Erstad activated today, someone must go.

Collins said reserve outfielder Reggie Williams will start tonight's game to give Garret Anderson a rest, meaning the likely odd man out is first baseman Chris Pritchett. Pritchett would stay if someone was put on the disabled list instead, and Craig Shipley has been bothered lately with a sore hamstring.

Up-Hill battle: Pitcher Ken Hill (elbow) pitched on Tuesday night for Single-A Lake Elsinore at Stockton in what was supposed to be his final rehab start. He was supposed to make 90 pitches but made only 70 in four innings. He gave up four runs (three earned) and five hits while walking five and striking out two.

Hill was expected to be activated to start on Sunday against Toronto in Anaheim, pushing Chuck Finley back a day to start against the Yankees in New York. Now, though, the situation might be a little clouded.

Catcher Charlie O'Brien has started throwing as part of his rehab for a broken right thumb but there is no timetable for his return.

ANGELS vs. DETROIT

Time: 7:35 p.m. at Edison Field.

TV/Radio: No TV; KRLA 1110-AM, XPRS 1090-AM (Spanish).

Matchups: The Angels' Jack McDowell (1-2, 4.76 ERA) opposes the Tigers' Justin Thompson (10-9, 3.61 ERA). McDowell hasn't started a game since May 31, when he lasted only 3-2/3 innings and gave up five runs and 10 hits against the Twins. The Angels, however, came back to win that game and won nine in a row. McDowell's only victory this season came April 8 when he gave up one run and seven hits in eight innings in a 2-1 win over the Red Sox. Garret Anderson will get the night off as Reggie Williams will start in his place.

- Joe Haakenson

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Photo, Box

PHOTO ERSTAD

BOX: ANGELS vs. DETROIT (see text)