ANGELS NOTEBOOK: SHORT BREAK FOR EDMONDS.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

The Angels' main reason for scratching Jim Edmonds from Friday night's lineup was his jammed right thumb that could hamper him at first base.

But the real reason was loud and clear to Edmonds: rest his ailing left knee.

The center fielder hurt his knee May 29 at Oakland. After he was diagnosed with torn cartilage Edmonds continued to play, enduring the pain caused by inflammation in the back of his knee.

``Every single day I feel terrible,'' Edmonds said. ``The last week has been a real bad week. I'm just going to keep going out there and do whatever I can.

``Honestly, it would benefit me to go on the 15-day disabled list. That is not an option I want right now. Three to five days would be good. Right now we are at a crucial part in the season and we just have to push through it.''

Angels manager Terry Collins said that he will continue to play Edmonds until the doctors advise him not to. Collins also said he will try to rest Edmonds as much as possible before the upcoming series with Texas.

Edmonds is looking forward to resting during the upcoming All-Star break. But if he gets selected to the July 8th classic in Cleveland he plans to play.

Salmon's back: The Angels' Tim Salmon returned to action Friday night after missing Thursday's game with a stomach virus. The right fielder said he wasn't sure if he caught the flu from a teammate or from his kids.

During his day off, Salmon received some ribbing from his wife Marci who underwent thyroid cancer surgery on June 2 and is getting treatment.

``She told me that she was the one who was supposed to be catered to and then I got sick,'' Salmon said. ``She wants to be the one being pampered.''

Etc.: Angels third baseman Dave Hollins' wife Kerri is pregnant and expecting any day now. Kerri is in Buffalo, N.Y., which may cause Dave to take a leave of absence. . .Angels pitcher Allen Watson, who missed Thursday's start because of the flu, is expected to pitch Monday during the first of a three-game series at Texas. The pitchers for the last two games of the Rangers series have yet to be determined.