ANGELS NOTEBOOK: PERCIVAL RETURNING TO FORM.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - When the Angels let pitcher Chuck Finley leave via free agency during the offseason, some players were left to consider their own futures with the club. One of them was Troy Percival, who said he'd welcome a trade to a contender.

``Someone mentioned my name and asked me a question and I answered it,'' Percival said. ``But I'm here. I'm an Angel. I never demanded a trade. This is where I come from. I've spent 11 years in this organization.''

As far as going to a contender, Percival said he now believes the Angels ``without question'' are a contender in the AL West.

A lot of it depends on the health of pitchers coming off injuries, and Percival is among them. He had a large bone chip removed from his right shoulder during the offseason and won't be permitted to throw in a Cactus League game until March 10 at the earliest.

But the signs that Percival will return to the top of his game are there. He's back to pitching over the top, instead of three-quarters or sidearm, which was a result of the pain in his shoulder.

``I'm giving 100 percent, but I don't have 100 percent strength,'' he said. ``It's at about 85-90 percent. And it's coming quickly.''

--Long shot: Mike Colangelo is a long shot to make the club as a reserve outfielder, but he does have one thing going for him - a lifetime batting average of .500 in the majors.

Colangelo got his shot with the Angels last season amid all the injuries and became a statistic himself, before he could finish his first major-league game.

After hitting .339 at Double-A Erie and .362 at Triple-A Edmonton, he was called up by the Angels on June 13. He led off the bottom of the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a single.

He was 1 for 2 with a walk when his dream turned into a nightmare. In the seventh inning, Colangelo, playing left field, raced toward left-center field to catch a fly ball. Problem was, center fielder Reggie Williams had the same idea, and the two collided. Colangelo left the field on a stretcher. Considering how bad it looked, he was fortunate to escape with only a torn ligament in his left thumb. But it meant the end of his season and a missed opportunity. Still, Colangelo doesn't feel sorry for himself.

``I couldn't control what happened,'' he said. ``The only thing I can control is getting ready for this year. I don't know what the future holds, no one does. So every day I come to the field and play the game as hard as I can. Hopefully, I'll get another shot.''

--Odd lefty out: Left-handed pitcher Scott Schoeneweis is competing for a starting spot along with Ramon Ortiz, Jarrod Washburn and Brian Cooper. Washburn is the other lefty in the group, but it is doubtful both lefties will make the staff.

``Both definitely have the stuff to pitch in the major leagues,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``But they're different. Schoeneweis is really aggressive, maybe too intense. Washburn has a quiet confidence. He goes about his business. Washburn uses his changeup more, Schoeneweis has better movement.''

Washburn will start today's Cactus League opener against the Seattle Mariners. Schoeneweis, who threw two hitless innings vs. Arizona State on Wednesday, will make his next start next week.

--Short hops: Jim Edmonds returned to camp after missing Wednesday's workout and game because of a family matter. . . . The Angels signed pitchers Ortiz, Brian Cooper and Juan Alvarez to contracts for the 2000 season and renewed the contracts of third baseman Troy Glaus and pitchers Schoeneweis and Al Levine for 2000.