ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SALMON RETURNS TO ANGELS LINEUP.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

Tim Salmon is back, but Jim Edmonds is not as close to returning as the team had hoped.

Team medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum, manager Terry Collins, general manager Bill Bavasi, trainer Ned Bergert and hitting coach Rod Carew will meet with Edmunds today to get a better understanding of Edmonds' status.

Edmonds admittedly has been trying to hurry his return, but the word is his surgically repaired right shoulder is not ready. The Angels had hoped Edmonds could begin a rehab assignment early this week, but Collins said that is at least a week away.

Edmonds did not take batting practice Saturday because his shoulder felt tired.

Salmon admitted he was surprised Collins asked him if he could play for the Angels Saturday after just one game at Single-A Lake Elsinore.

``The last time we talked we were saying I'd be there at least through Sunday,'' said Salmon, who sprained his left wrist May 3 trying to make a sliding catch. ``Going 3 for 5 might have helped. If I went 0 for 4, it might have been a different story.''

Salmon talked with Collins on the phone late Friday night.

``He said, `What do you think?,' and I said, `What do you mean?' '' Salmon said of Collins. ``He said, `Can you come here and play?,' I said, `From a timing standpoint I'm probably not ready, but from a physical standpoint, I'm fine.' ''

Collins waited until Saturday morning to make his decision, calling Salmon to make sure the wrist was ready.

``I rolled out of bed and grabbed a bat,'' Salmon said. ``It was a little achy and sore but nothing I wouldn't expect. I would have been playing at High Desert, so why not here?''

Collins listened to what Barry Bonds told him when the Angels were in San Francisco and Bonds was returning from an elbow injury.

``He said he was physically ready to play, he just needed at-bats and needed rehab, so he might as well do it up here,'' Collins said. ``Tim was a little different case because we weren't sure his wrist was fine. But after (Friday) night, we were convinced.''

Lost, not found: Todd Greene was sent to Triple-A Edmonton July 6 to ``find his stroke,'' but he is apparently still searching for it. In his first four games, Greene is hitting .143 (2 for 14) with one homer and three RBI.

Settling in: Mo Vaughn took advantage of the All-Star break to get better acquainted with the surroundings near his new home in Newport Beach. He said he went to the beach one day, but he won't go in the water.

When asked why not, Vaughn said: ``Sharks.''

Packed houses: The three-game series between the Angels and Dodgers drew 127,446 fans, an Edison Field record.

ANGELS vs. SAN DIEGO

Time: 5:05 p.m. at Edison Field.

TV/Radio: No TV; KLAC-570, XPRS-1090.

Matchup: Mike Fyhrie (0-1, 10.57 ERA) will start for Anaheim against San Diego's Brian Boehringer (5-2, 2.98). Which Fyhrie will show up? Will it be the Fyhrie who held the Mariners to two runs in seven innings in his first start? Or will it be the Fyhrie who couldn't make it out of the first inning while giving up seven runs to the Rockies in his last start? The series against the Padres will be the last interleague series of the season for the Angels. They are 6-9 vs. the NL this year.

- Joe Haakenson

CAPTION(S):

Box

Box: ANGELS vs. SAN DIEGO (See text)