ANGELS NOTEBOOK: NO WORD YET ON WEAVER.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA Staff Writer

ANAHEIM -- The Angels still were noncommittal Wednesday on Jered Weaver's status, but his pregame routine seemed to speak volumes.

The undefeated rookie pitcher was asked to take batting practice as the Angels prepare for another round of interleague play, which begins next week.

The Angels need to open a spot in the rotation by this weekend to allow for Bartolo Colon's return, and it is possible Weaver will have to return to Triple-A Salt Lake despite a 4-0 record in four starts and a 1.37 ERA.

If Weaver really is to come to the plate in interleague play, that game would be another two starts away. If Weaver keeps his spot in the rotation, he would pitch against the San Diego Padres at home on Sunday with the designated hitter in use. He wouldn't have to take his hacks until next week's series at Arizona.

Weaver said he wasn't told anything and that taking batting practice was an order from pitching coach Bud Black.

``I'll take it as a day-by-day thing is what I'll take it as,'' Weaver said. ``It's still up in the air, I guess.''

Manager Mike Scioscia acknowledged he is facing a tough decision, but he still was able to make light of it.

``Today I looked into my dog's eyes,'' Scioscia said when asked if it would be a staff-wide decision. `` `Hey, bring your paw up once or twice.' I didn't get a response from him.

``There are a lot of things to look at and there is so much we have to think of short-term and long-term here. There are some factors that are going to put you in one direction or another.''

Erstad sits: After playing the first two nights upon returning from the disabled list, Darin Erstad was given the day off. Part of it was due to to the Royals starting left-hander Mark Redman, but the bigger reason was that Scioscia wants to play it safe with Erstad's injured right ankle.

``I think it just makes sense to do it after playing two games in center,'' Scioscia said. ``We'll give him a little rest.'

Kendry Morales and Adam Kennedy also were out of the starting lineup for the night.

Waiting game: Casey Kotchman, on the disabled list since May 9, is scheduled to receive results this week from another round of blood tests associated with his viral infection. Kotchman, who believes he contracted mononucleosis during the offseason, has only resumed some low-level baseball activities and is not yet close to going on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment.