ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ROOKIE GETS SOME BAD NEWS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Third baseman Dallas McPherson was in incredibly good spirits Thursday afternoon considering the advice he received from hip specialist Dr. Marc Philipon after an examination in Vail, Colo., earlier in the week.

Philipon diagnosed McPherson, out since July 8, with a bone spur in his hip joint and recommended surgery to shave down the spur and repair the cartilage around the joint. Recovery time is 12 weeks, so if McPherson has the surgery anytime soon, he's out for the season.

When asked how things went in Vail, McPherson deadpanned: ``Great resorts up there, great skiing.''

McPherson seemed relieved to know what was causing the pain in his hip and back all season. He wants a second opinion, because he still has hopes of playing this season, meaning he'd push back surgery until after the season. He said he will go to Nashville, Tenn., to see another specialist ``as soon as possible.''

``We're trying to get as much information as possible,'' said McPherson, who is hitting .244 with eight homers and 26 RBI in 61 games. ``I would still want to play, I'm still holding out hope. Now we're handling the issue of whether I'll do any more damage by playing. If there's any way I can help this team, I want to be out there any way I can.''

--G.A. update: Left fielder Garret Anderson had more tests Thursday, this time on his ailing back and left knee. Results of the blood work done Wednesday came back normal.

Tests on his left knee revealed patella tendinitis, and an MRI and bone scan on his back showed irritation of the lower right back.

``I think it's good news because what they found was more of a conventional thing that can be addressed,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.