ANGELS NOTEBOOK: VLAD ON 15-DAY DL STINT.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

For the next two weeks and probably longer, the Angels will learn how hard life is without reigning American League MVP Vladimir Guerrero, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a partial dislocation of his left shoulder.

Guerrero injured the shoulder on a headfirst slide into home Friday night. Saturday, another set of X-rays and an examination by Dr. Lewis Yocum confirmed the partial dislocation.

While Yocum said it isn't as severe as a full separation, he did not rule out the possibility of surgery. Partial separations can vary in severity and term of healing, so Guerrero could be out as little as two weeks or, as manager Mike Scioscia indicated, three to five weeks or longer.

Guerrero, whose left arm was in a sling Saturday, will undergo an MRI examination Monday or Tuesday, which should give the club a clearer picture of his prognosis. The concern is heightened because Guerrero injured the same shoulder in 1999 and sat out a handful of games. This is his first DL stint since suffering a herniated disk in his back in June 2003.

``The shoulder did not come all the way out of the socket,'' Yocum said. ``It's less traumatic than a true separation. But any time there's an injury like this, it's a concern. Shoulder injuries to professional ballplayers are potentially very serious. We always reserve the right for surgery, but we'll go along conservatively so we can protect Vlad and the team.''

Minus Guerrero, Juan Rivera will get the majority of playing time in right field. Outfielder Curtis Pride was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to take Guerrero's roster spot.

On a team already ranked 10th in the AL in runs and last in on-base percentage, the loss of Guerrero's .303 average, team-leading seven home runs and 24 RBI cannot be underestimated.

``I don't think it's any news flash that he's the single biggest loss to this team,'' starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn said. ``We have guys in here who aren't capable of being Vladimir Guerrero, but will fill in and do a good job.''

--Roenicke stands by decision: Third base coach Ron Roenicke was not second-guessing his decision to send Guerrero home on Friday's fateful play, noting that there were two outs and Guerrero runs well. Dodgers right fielder J.D. Drew and second baseman Jeff Kent teamed up to nail Guerrero at the plate.

--Tough first time: Closer Francisco Rodriguez should be available today after missing a week with a forearm strain. In his absence Saturday, set-up man Scot Shields went two innings for his fifth save, an act that required him to take his second major-league at-bat against Dodgers closer Eric Gagne.

--K-Rod progress: Rodriguez threw a bullpen session Friday and was fine. He says he will begin icing his arm more regularly to avoid future injuries.

``I never iced after games, unless I threw three or four games in a row,'' he said. ``I'm going to be more careful, depending on how many pitches I've thrown.''

Gabe Lacques, [phone]

gabe.lacques(at)sgvn.com