ANGELS NOTEBOOK: OUTSIDE HELP GETS GUILLEN BACK.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Jose Guillen returned to the Angels lineup Tuesday after missing two games with what the club originally said was carpal tunnel syndrome. But the left fielder said for the past two weeks he has experienced swelling in his hands and feet and circulation problems, robbing him of his power.

He also said the malady was relieved not by the club's training staff, but rather by working with a personal trainer of pitcher Bartolo Colon. The trainer, Angel Done, has worked with Sammy Sosa and other prominent Dominican Republic stars.

``It shut my whole body down,'' said Guillen, who has 26 home runs this season, but none in his past 30 at-bats. ``I was not feeling any power. The doctor didn't know what it was. I feel much better.''

Guillen said he worked with Done during Monday's off day and early Tuesday morning, and said Done is ``unbelievable. He knew what it was right away. The trainers have been working hard, but this guy is (good).''

The Angels administered a blood test to Guillen, but the results were still pending. Manager Mike Scioscia said Guillen's shoulder, neck and hands were affected, but that he said he was feeling well.

For his part, Guillen said he was 90 percent, noting he broke the hamate bone in his left hand around this time last year while with Oakland. He still had five hits in the playoffs.

``Whatever it takes, I'm going to play through it,'' he said. ``I'm back, guys.''

--Dallas comes to Anaheim: Dallas McPherson walked into Angel Stadium for the first time at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Twenty minutes later, the Angels' top prospect and likely minor league player of the year was on the field, addressing the fielding woes and hole in his swing that kept him from arriving earlier.

``Dallas is very intelligent and a hard worker,'' Scioscia said, ``and that's a good combination.''

It also doesn't hurt to put up a .317, 40-home run, 126-RBI season between Double-A and Triple-A while playing third base, a premium position where the Angels happen to have a potential vacancy for 2005 with Troy Glaus' pending free agency.

McPherson, 24, could be the Angels' designated hitter in 2005 if the Angels opt to re-sign Glaus. But despite 29 errors and 169 strikeouts this season, the Angels realize the jewel of their developmental system just arrived, and his greatest value is at the hot corner.

``Third base is definitely a position he'll pursue,'' Scioscia said. ``(Third basemen) are so few and far between. It gives us a lot of depth, a lot of leverage as you move forward.''

McPherson's role this month likely will be limited, though if he shines in his few at-bats, the club has the option of adding him to the playoff roster. The experience he'll receive this month will give him a running start heading into spring training, helping the organization hedge, depending on Glaus' situation.

``That's up to the organization, up to Troy,'' McPherson said. ``(Third base) is the only place I play, the only place I know. I don't even own an outfielder's glove, a first baseman's glove. But I'm open to anything as long as I can hit.''

--Weber released: Relief pitcher Ben Weber, designated for assignment last week, was granted his unconditional release.

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- Gabe Lacques