ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SELE'S FUTURE WITH TEAM AS SHAKY AS HIS PERFORMANCES.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Aaron Sele is back in the Angels' starting rotation, but where he'll be this time next year is a mystery to him.

Sele, who began the season in the bullpen before replacing the inconsistent Ramon Ortiz in the rotation, is in the final year of a three-year, $24 million contract. To date, Sele's numbers don't suggest he was worth the money.

He was 8-9 with a 4.89 ERA in 2002 and 7-11 with a 5.77 ERA last year, while battling shoulder problems that led to shoulder surgery in October of '02. This year, he's 1-0 with a 3.80 ERA in two starts and four relief appearances.

``I know I haven't been able to pitch like I'm capable of,'' Sele said. ``But 2002 was the best year I've ever had in baseball. Whether or not I was pitching, I feel I contributed as much as I ever have, in terms of attitude, experience and scouting reports. I felt like I contributed a lot to the World Series year. I'm just as happy with that year as any other year I've had.''

With Bartolo Colon, Kelvim Escobar and Jarrod Washburn as the foundation of the Angels' rotation, and a host of other pitchers attempting to rise through the ranks, Sele's future with the Angels is tenuous at best. But at 33, Sele feels he still has something to give to a team, and he hopes it's the Angels.

``I really enjoy it here,'' he said. ``It's a great organization. I've gotten a chance to know a lot of quality people. And obviously, the Southern California lifestyle agrees with my family.''

Sele said he won't try to predict what will happen. His third child is due in June, and he won't look beyond that. Besides, he has been a free agent before and knows what it's like.

``I've been through the process a couple times before,'' he said. ``One year I thought I was staying in Texas, but they didn't want me and I thought I'd be in Baltimore, but I ended up in Seattle. It reaffirmed to me this is a business. The only thing I can control is working hard between starts and when I do start (to) give the team a chance to win.''

--Black-eyed plea: Designated hitter Tim Salmon continues to target May 18 as the date of his return to the roster from the disabled list, but his sore left knee is not his only injury.

Salmon is sporting a black eye.

``I got into a fight in a bar,'' joked Salmon, a devoted father of four.

Salmon actually hit a foul ball in the batting cage that bounced up and hit him in the right eye. The eye did not swell up and has not stopped him from continuing his rehab.

--On the right foot: Three of the Angels' most prized minor-league prospects have gotten off to good starts. Third baseman Dallas McPherson (23), first baseman Casey Kotchman (21) and catcher Jeff Mathis (21) began last season at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and advanced to Double-A Arkansas before the season was over.

This year, all three started at Arkansas and are playing well. Through Friday, McPherson was hitting .308 with two homers and 18 RBI; Kotchman was hitting .367 with three homers and 18 RBI; and Mathis was hitting .315 with two homers and 17 RBI. At 17-10, Arkansas was in first place in the Texas League.

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- Joe Haakenson