ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ORTIZ HOPEFUL, ANGELS CAUTIOUS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Pitcher Ramon Ortiz and Jarrod Washburn played catch for seven minutes Friday morning as manager Mike Scioscia, pitching coach Bud Black and trainer Ned Bergert watched.

``It was good today, my arm feels very good, it'll be OK,'' said Ortiz, who has a slight tear in his right shoulder. ``I work too hard every day.''

Despite Ortiz's optimism, the Angels say they will be cautious with him. He'll throw off the mound either Monday or Tuesday, then an evaluation will be made after that. If all is well, he could pitch in a game by next weekend.

Of course, that is predicated on Ortiz telling the truth about how his shoulder feels. Scioscia said he isn't worried about Ortiz not being honest.

``(If there is pain) there is going to be warning signs,'' Scioscia said. ``If it's bothering him, he's not going to be able to mask it and say he feels good when he doesn't. If we find out he's feeling symptoms again we'll have to take another look at it.''

The rehabilitation program for Washburn, who has a strained muscle in his side, will take much longer.

``He's a little more long term that we hoped,'' Scioscia said. ''When it is (that he'll be OK) we don't know. The key is patience.''

Having patience is tough for Washburn, who had been looking forward to competing for a spot in the starting rotation.

``I hate being hurt,'' said Washburn. ''It's not easy for me to deal with. I can't win a spot if I'm hurt.''

The Angels expect Washburn to be out until May.

--Playing catch: Catcher Todd Greene played long toss with Scioscia on Friday, taking a step forward after too many steps backwards regarding his twice-surgically repaired right shoulder.

Greene is trying convince the Angels to keep three catchers, because that's the only way he'll make the team. If the Angels decide on a different third catcher or simply go with two (Bengie Molina and Matt Walbeck), Greene's career with the Angels probably would be finished.

Greene is out of options and could request free agency instead of accepting a trip to the minors.

Greene doesn't have much time to prove to the club that he's healthy enough to catch. He's started only two games behind the plate this spring. In one of them he went five innings but was so sore the next day he hasn't caught again since.

``We want to be able to see what he can do behind the plate,'' Scioscia said. ``And we're not at that point yet.''

--More shoulder surgery: Outfielder Jeff DaVanon (left) and Mike Colangelo (right) both had surgery Friday to repair torn labrums. . . . The Angels released infielders Archi Cianfrocco and Carlos Garcia on Friday.

ANGELS UPDATE

Games: Diamondbacks at Angels, 12:05 p.m., at Tempe Diablo Stadium; Angels at Diamondbacks, 1:05 p.m. at Hermosillo, Mexico.

Radio: KLAC-AM (570), XPRS-AM (1090).

Friday's result: Back-to-back home runs by Geoff Jenkins and Lyle Mouton off the Angels' Troy Percival led the Brewers to an 8-3 victory. Angels starter Jason Dickson gave up four runs (three earned) and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

- Joe Haakenson

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Box: ANGELS UPDATE (see text)