ANGELS NOTEBOOK: NOT MUCH LEFT FOR ANGELS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TORONTO - Blue Jays reliever Scott Schoeneweis spent 7 1/2 seasons in the Angels organization, so he keeps a close eye on his former teammates and is asked about them frequently.

``People ask, 'Who's the Angels' lefty in the bullpen?''' Schoeneweis said. ``I say, 'Me, I'm just not there anymore.'''

Schoeneweis notes he hasn't been replaced in the Angels bullpen since they traded him to the White Sox on July 29, 2003, though the Angels have used left-hander Jake Woods in the bullpen this season.

There was no left-hander in the bullpen last October when Angels manager Mike Scioscia brought in starter Jarrod Washburn to face David Ortiz in the 10th inning of Game 3 in the ALDS, when Ortiz homered on Washburn's first pitch and ended the series and the Angels' season.

Schoeneweis said he felt bad for Washburn, who is still a close friend of his.

``It shows how important the specialty roles are. At the (non-waiver trading) deadline there's always a need for specialty guys.

Most times what teams lack is in the bullpen.''

While Scioscia and general manager Bill Stoneman remain steadfast in insisting a left-handed reliever isn't as important as simply having a good pitcher, Scioscia acknowledged it couldn't hurt.

``Where we stand right now is we definitely need to keep establishing depth on the pitching side, whether it's somebody in the bullpen or starting pitching to re-establish depth in other areas,'' Scioscia said.

``The priority for any club in our position is to keep our pitching where it needs to be.''

Schoeneweis, who is in the first year of a two-year, $5.2 million contract with Toronto, isn't believed to be on the Angels' watch list, but he's been a workhorse in the Blue Jays' bullpen, appearing in a team-high 48 games.

He's held left-handed batters to a .174 (12 for 69) average.

--Escobar update: Pitcher Kelvim Escobar, who had arthroscopic surgery to shave a bone spur and remove a bone chip June 29, played catch from about 90 feet, but is still ``in his infancy of rehab'' according to Scioscia.

The Angels are counting on having Escobar back in the rotation this season, possibly by early September, but realize there are still a lot of hurdles in front of him.

``There are going to be questions up until he's throwing the ball at full velocity and we can get him stretched out,'' Scioscia said.

--Extras: With the Blue Jays starting left-hander Gustavo Chacin, Angels center fielder Steve Finley batted eighth Tuesday. ... Second baseman Adam Kennedy did not start Tuesday in part because of the Rogers Centre turf. Kennedy is coming off knee surgery. ... Third baseman Dallas McPherson will need a week to 10 days working out at the Angels' minor-league facility in Mesa, Ariz. before going on a rehabilitation assignment.