ANGELS NOTEBOOK: NO CLEAR ANSWERS ON DISARCINA'S SHOULDER.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - The Angels announced that the MRI on Gary DiSarcina's right shoulder revealed ``normal wear and tear'' for a 32-year-old major league shortstop. But there is growing speculation that the injury is more severe than the club is letting on and that season-ending surgery is a possibility.

There also would be the option of allowing the shoulder to heal without surgery, but how long it would take is unknown.

``As much as I would like someone to pull a magic bullet out of my body, it's not going to happen,'' DiSarcina said. ``I've tried three or four times to get back out there, but I haven't been able to do it.''

DiSarcina played in only 81 games last season, missing time with a broken bone in his left forearm. He's on the disabled list for the second time this season. The first time was because of a bruised left thumb.

He missed five games with the shoulder injury before trying to come back last Monday but still couldn't make throws without pain and was put on the disabled list again.

``Any time you miss a big-league game when you're on a big-league roster, it worries you,'' DiSarcina said. ``I'm not capable of throwing the ball across the diamond, so I'm worried.''

--More exams: An MRI on Ken Hill confirmed a torn muscle in his upper rib cage, putting him out for at least a month and probably longer.

But the news on pitcher Tim Belcher was a little more encouraging. Inflammation in his right elbow last week forced him to stop throwing, but it was in a different spot than the initial injury that required surgery last winter.

Manager Mike Scioscia said it's possible Belcher will resume throwing sometime later this week.

--Season debut: Pitcher Jarrod Washburn will make his season debut against the Rangers on Saturday, having been called up to replace the struggling Ramon Ortiz.

Washburn was 3-0 with a 3.52 ERA at Triple-A Edmonton, but more importantly, he's healthy again.

Washburn suffered a strained muscle in his side last season and again in spring training this year, but doctors found the root of the problem - ``My hips were crooked,'' Washburn said.

More specifically, his hips and a vertebrae were out of alignment. A chiropractic adjustment fixed the problem and Washburn says he feels as good as he has in years.

``My velocity is back and now I have a clue where I'm throwing the ball,'' he said. ``I know I can get the job done. I've shown that in the past two years, and I feel I'm better now. I've learned an incredible amount by pitching here. And physically, I'm better now.''