ANGELS NOTEBOOK: WEAVER, COLON LOOKING GOOD.

Byline: VINCENT BONSIGNORE

Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. -- There were handshakes and smiles all around Monday morning in the bullpen behind Diablo Stadium.

Bartolo Colon and Jered Weaver, the two injured aces of the Angels' pitching staff, inched closer to rejoining the rotation after completing 45-pitch bullpen sessions. Both pitchers are at least a week away from taking the mound in an actual game, and neither is expected to start the season in Anaheim, but none of that dampened the mood of manager Mike Scioscia and pitching coach Mike Butcher.

More and more, the Angels are envisioning their full pitching staff intact by the first week of May.

"They're both on course," said Butcher, who supervised Monday's session. "This is another big step forward."

Weaver, recovering from biceps tendinitis, threw for the second time this spring. He was limited to fastballs only, but looked smooth and sharp throughout. He'll throw again Thursday, this time mixing in some changeups, and could pitch in a simulated game by the end of the week.

The lanky right-hander hasn't ruled out making a start on April 6 -- his first turn in the rotation -- but the question now is whether he'll do it with the Angels or here, where he'll remain if he's not in Anaheim to begin the season.

Butcher isn't about to talk about Weaver aiming for April6, regardless of where Weaver might be at the time.

"I want him to have a goal," Butcher said. "I want him to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I like the April 6 thing, but it's not set in stone or ink right now."

Colon's status is less certain, but no less encouraging. He has made significant strides since the opening of camp, surprising the Angels with his progress coming back from the rotator cuff injury that ended his season last June. It's now very likely that Colon will be pitching with the Angels by the beginning of the summer rather than the end.

Colon was limited to fastballs Monday, but like Weaver he will add some changeups when he takes the mound on Thursday. Colon isn't talking to the media until he throws to batters, but the big smile he wore after completing his workout was proof that he's headed in the right direction.

"He's made tremendous progress," Scioscia said.

Matthews apologizes: Outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. apologized to the Angels for causing a distraction to the team during spring training. Matthews allegedly was sent human growth hormone in 2004 from a pharmacy that's part of a widespread steroid investigation, and Angels owner Arte Moreno has asked Matthews to publicly address the issue, a stance baseball commissioner Bud Selig backed Saturday.

"Gary regrets the distraction this story has caused the Angels front office, the manager and his staff, teammates and fans," Matthews' agent, Scott Leventhal, said in a statement. "However, given the ongoing investigation, he simply cannot discuss the matter until appropriate to do so. Gary sincerely apologizes for this distraction and is determined to resolve this issue in a timely manner."

HGH was not banned by baseball for players with major league contracts until 2005. This investigation appears to be targeting the suppliers of the substances, not those who might have received anything from the suppliers.

He said, he said: Angels left-hander Joe Saunders told reporters after his start Sunday that he felt some tightness in his left elbow.

That was news to Scioscia, who said Monday all his health reports on Saunders were positive.

"Who's your source on that?" Scioscia joked.

When told it was Saunders himself, Scioscia didn't miss a beat. "Joe's not privy to that information," he said, drawing a big laugh.

Scioscia chalked Saunders' discomfort up to the normal pain and irritation of spring training, and Saunders didn't sound concerned.

"I'll be fine," he said.

Taking the 11th: The battle for the final spot in the bullpen is still an open race. The Angels will carry 11 pitchers, according to Scioscia, and are looking for a durable arm to round out the staff.

Three of the candidates -- Dustin Moseley, Chris Bootcheck and Alex Serrano -- fared well Sunday in a combined shutout effort against the Rangers, who were playing most of their regulars.

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- Vincent Bonsignore