ANGELS NOTEBOOK: PHYSIOC STILL EXUBERANT.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA 

Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels broadcaster Steve Physioc will return to the air today refreshed, invigorated and far from bitter that his schedule will be cut by a third this season.

The Angels will face the Chicago White Sox in Tucson at 1:05 p.m. today, with the game airing live on Fox Sports Net West. Physioc and Rex Hudler will call the action.

Some of Physioc's harshest critics might be alarmed to hear the exuberant announcer is feeling as good as ever. The biggest knock on the veteran of 10 Angels seasons is that his exuberance shows up far too often.

But Physioc has reasons to feel good. The estimated 50 games that will be cut from his schedule -- and from his paycheck -- will go to close friend Jose Mota, who will team with Mark Gubicza to broadcast nearly a third of the season.

"I've been talking to Fox for years to say this guy is an unbelievable talent. I was the one that said, 'Hey, let's get him involved,'" Physioc said. "So (originally) we got him to do the games down in the dugout, etc. And Mark Gubicza is so talented."

Physioc has explored the possibility of doing some Pac-10 football this fall, like he did for the past 20 years before removing it from his busy schedule last year. His newfound free time will give him a chance to partake in his passion of whitewater river rafting, with a plan to float through the Grand Canyon this summer.

Physioc said his reduced schedule was thoughtfully explained to him by Angels management and Fox Sports representatives, and he has no problem with it. He also is confident the new schedule is not a plan to phase him out of the booth.

As for his critics, Physioc understands their knock on his style, but as long as the Angels' play motivates him, he refuses to change.

"I do think that I am honest," he said. "Do I get excited when the team does well? Yeah. But to be honest with you, from 1996 to 2001, I didn't get excited that often. But from 2002 to 2006 the Angels have been pretty good so there's been reason to get excited about the club."

Physioc sees the big picture and knows that any sports broadcaster in Southern California is venturing into some challenging territory.

"In this marketplace you are going to be criticized because we have three Hall of Famers who are the greatest announcers of all time in Vin Scully, Chick Hearn and Bob Miller," Physioc said. "Even though we do it completely differently you're going to be measured against the very best. In my opinion, Vin Scully is the Babe Ruth of all broadcasters."

Saunders scratched: Joe Saunders was scratched from Friday's start because of a sore muscle on the inside of his left forearm. Manager Mike Scioscia said the discomfort is nothing serious and that Saunders would have started if it was the regular season.

Dustin Moseley, who appears to have a bullpen spot locked up at the very least, started instead and didn't allow a run over 4 1/3innings. He did give up seven hits. Saunders is expected to throw a bullpen session today and start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Weaver's spot: Moseley's outing moved him closer to starting the April 6 regular-season game against the Oakland Athletics. That would be Jered Weaver's spot in the rotation, but Weaver is still expected to miss a start as he works his way back from biceps tendinitis.

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