ANGELS NOTEBOOK : ABBOTT ACCEPTS DEMOTION.

He's never played in the minor leagues, but that's where Jim Abbott is headed.

Abbott informed the Angels Tuesday that he has accepted the team's optional assignment to Triple-A Vancouver.

``It's in his best interest to go out and try to pitch himself out of it and find his confidence,'' interim manager John McNamara said. ``He's trying to be too fine with his breaking ball (and ends up) bouncing it in there.''

Although McNamara said he doesn't know when Abbott would make his first minor-league appearance, it likely will not come until at least Thursday.

Since Major League Baseball rules state that a player with at least five years of major-league service has 72 hours to decide if he'll accept the assignment, the Angels can't officially send him down until today. Abbott was asked Sunday. He last pitched Saturday.

Langston update: Mark Langston will miss his scheduled start today because of what the club says is irritation in his right knee. That's the same knee on which Langston had arthroscopic surgery in May to repair partially torn cartilage.

According to team athletic trainer Ned Bergert, Langston felt something in the knee during his last start Friday. It tightened up Sunday while Langston was playing with his children in the family swimming pool, Bergert said.

An MRI taken Monday revealed no damage. Still, Jason Grimsley will start in Langston's place.

Also: After Thursday's day off, the Angels will begin a 10-game road trip to Boston, New York, and Baltimore. Pitching for the Angels in the Boston series: Dennis Springer (friday), Chuck Finley (saturday), Boskie (sunday). The team is undecided about Monday, with Mark Langston and Jason Grimsley possible choices. ...Before the game, McNamara said Bill Lachemann will remain first-base coach for the rest of the season. Lachemann is the brother of former managers Marcel (Angels) and Rene (Florida).