ANGELS NOTEBOOK: WOOTEN LOST FOR FOUR MONTHS.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Shawn Wooten is expected to be out as long as four months after he suffered a separation in the joint of his right thumb in Wednesday's game against the San Diego Padres.

Wooten, who was going to share the first-base duties with Scott Spiezio, injured the thumb when he went to his knees to catch a popup. He placed his right hand down to brace himself, and the thumb was dislocated. He popped it back in momentarily, but it popped back out.

Wooten will drive back to Southern California today to see hand specialist Dr. Normal Zemel and is expected to have surgery Tuesday.

``I've made that play a million times,'' Wooten said. ``I understand (getting hurt) diving into the stands to make a catch, but falling down?''

After eight seasons in the minors, Wooten played all of 2001 with the Angels and hit a team-best .312 in 79 games. But the year was a difficult one for him because he lost his father to cancer, and he missed the final month of the season with torn cartilage in his left wrist that required surgery.

``This one's a tough one,'' Wooten said. ``Last year I had a lot of tough situations with my wrist and my dad, but I've been feeling healthy and I was swinging the bat very good. I felt I was going to be a big part of this team, and help this team win. I feel like I let these guys down.''

Despite his disappointment, Wooten said he'll work hard to get back as soon as he can.

``You get tested in life, and it depends on how you respond,'' he said. ``With the guys we have here this year, I don't want to miss any days. But I love this game too much. That motivates me.''

Manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels first will look to fill Wooten's role ``internally,'' though it will be difficult because of Wooten's versatility. Besides being the backup first baseman, he also was the third catcher and can play third base. It could mean additional playing time for Spiezio, who is a switch hitter but not as good from the right side.

``(Wooten's) bat, especially against lefties, you can't minimize the importance it was to us,'' Scioscia said. ``(The injury) was freak. Bad mojo man; it's tough.''

--Aches and pains: Though Wooten's injury is the most severe, he isn't the only Angel feeling the aches and pains of spring training.

Troy Glaus strained a muscle on the left side of his stomach when he jerked back to avoid an inside pitch in the first inning Thursday. He'll be re-evaluated today.

Tim Salmon missed Thursday's game with a bruised right knee, a result of being hit by a pitch Wednesday. He said he should be ready to play today.

Left-handed reliever Dennis Cook went for a bone scan Thursday on his sore ribs, which he hurt during Saturday's fight with the Padres. The results were negative and he's available day to day.

Reliever Al Levine had a stiff neck after pitching in Wednesday's game and wore a neck brace Thursday. Infielder Benji Gil has shin splints and shortstop Alfredo Amezaga has tendinitis in his right triceps muscle. Levine, Gil and Amezaga are day to day.

--Sele awaits word: Pitcher Aaron Sele gave up two runs and six hits in four innings Thursday against the Rockies, an eventual 9-8 Rockies victory at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Sele hasn't spoken yet to Bob Watson, MLB's vice president in charge of discipline, about Sele's role in Saturday's fight with the Padres. Sele hit Ryan Klesko with a pitch in the first inning, and Klesko charged the mound.

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Photo:

Angels catcher Bengie Molina puts the tag on Benny Agbayani of Colorado during the second inning of Thursday's game.

Darryl Webb/Associated Press