ANGELS NOTEBOOK: TIME TO GET MORE DEFENSIVE.

Byline: DOUG PADILLA 

Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Physical examinations will be in order today for position players, who also need to make sure their gloves are in proper condition.

The Angels were the worst fielding team in the American League last season, committing 124 errors for a .979 fielding percentage. The fielding miscues led to 80 unearned runs -- a year after the Angels allowed a league-low 45 unearned runs.

Fielding will no doubt be a priority in this camp, with the first full-squad workout set for Tuesday. The most notable change will be the larger glove that will be used by Chone Figgins as he tries to overcome fielding issues at third base. Figgins had 16 errors last season, 10 of which came in 34 games (280 1/3 innings) at third.

"I'm very comfortable with the system and with what (fielding coach Alfredo Griffin) does with the infielders," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We've got some work to do because we're going to have different chemistry on the infield with rookie (Howie) Kendrick at second, Figgy at third and (Casey Kotchman), Kendry (Morales), (Robb) Quinlan or (Shea) Hillenbrand at first."

Even though defense will be a priority, there are no plans to add additional drills.

"There's nothing more we can do to pound these guys with it," Scioscia said. "Obviously we need to do things better on the defensive side. The solution comes in different forms, and hopefully this year it will be with the addition of (Gary) Matthews (Jr.), with Figgy getting comfortable at third base and stability at first base."

A return to the type of defense the Angels played in 2005 just might be what they need to return to the postseason.

"Defense certainly had an impact (last year)," Scioscia said. "The number of unearned runs we gave up was off the charts. But if we had played erratic defense (and) hit anywhere near where we should have the first month and a half, it could have been a different outcome."

Feeling at home: Gary Matthews Jr. (Granada Hills/ Mission College) made his first appearance in camp and said he already is feeling right at home.

"I've been playing in this division for a while now," Matthews said. "I already know these guys and know the players here and the personnel. It's really like coming in and getting ready to go."

The San Fernando Valley native was worried that returning to the area might be a distraction, so he took some precautions. The first was to move to Southern California during the winter so that the start of the season would not also be his homecoming.

"I spent the offseason in Cali just so I could get accustomed to it, and my family could get used to be being around, just so it's not so crazy when I come home from spring training," he said.

Injuries not a worry: Scioscia said he does not think the injuries to Bartolo Colon and Juan Rivera will wind up costing them the season. Colon is rehabbing rotator cuff problems, and Rivera broke his tibia in winter ball.

With Colon, the real question is what type of pitcher he will be when he returns.

"Bart's injury is one that historically heals itself; it will heal," Scioscia said. "The time-frame of it, I don't know, and how much stuff a pitcher retains after an injury like this will vary. But Bart will be back pitching at some point."

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