ANGELS UPDATE: GUILLEN FIGHTING SUSPENSION.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Angels, publicly united in their belief that the season-long suspension handed down to Jose Guillen was just, would like to put the productive but petulant outfielder and his tirade toward manager Mike Scioscia on Saturday behind them.

But Guillen could be back in an Angels uniform again this weekend, when the club heads to Oakland for a season-ending series that should determine the AL West title.

Through the Major League Baseball Players' Association, Guillen filed a grievance Monday that will be heard by arbitrator Shyam Das on Friday, MLBPA official Greg Bouris said. If upheld - and the players' union has had success in past cases - Guillen could return to the club and receive the $109,000 he's owed for the rest of this season.

And the Angels would be in the odd spot of welcoming back a player who publicly showed up Scioscia after a pinch-runner was sent to replace him Saturday. Afterward, he privately engaged the manager again, seriously enough for the club to warrant suspending him for the season, without pay, on Sunday.

Guillen was second on the Angels with 27 home runs and 104 RBI. Scioscia said Monday that Saturday's transgression was the ``final straw'' in a season filled with disciplinary action, but no fines, for Guillen, who is playing for his seventh organization.

``The magnitude of this move shows the effect of what Jose did and what it could do to the organization,'' Scioscia said. ``Nobody wants to lose a player like that. That tells you what transpired.''

Although Scioscia refused to divulge the specifics of Guillen's actions behind closed doors, one player said Scioscia and Guillen's heated postgame exchange eventually moved into a private setting within the clubhouse. But what was witnessed by players was enough for them to support the decision, made in concert with general manager Bill Stoneman and owner Arte Moreno.

``I support the decision Mike and Bill and Arte made,'' pitcher Jarrod Washburn said. ``I think every guy in this clubhouse does, as well.''

Even if it appears harsh and could end up getting overturned by Das.

``It was very strict, but you have to understand, there are reasons why they did it,'' catcher Bengie Molina said. ``What you guys so far understand is he was taken out for a pinch-runner. That started everything. What happened after that, that's what the actions are.

``The biggest thing is we are employees of somebody, in this case, Arturo Moreno, and the general manager. The manager's No. 1 here. You've got to respect everybody.''

Scioscia said he and Guillen spoke by phone Sunday night, when Guillen left a number for Scioscia, but the manager said Guillen has not apologized.

Could the Angels, who owe Guillen $3.5 million next season, welcome him back?

``If he's willing to adapt to our style of play, our beliefs as a team, I wouldn't have a problem with it,'' Washburn said. ``I don't know. You'd think something like this would cause him to open his eyes.''

Scioscia said: ``Jose coming back here, if there was a change of some of his philosophies about the game, could work. But this is (about) trying to keep things we built for five years here going in the right direction. Some of the things Jose did took away from that.''

General manager Bill Stoneman said he had not seen the grievance letter filed on Guillen's behalf, but feels the club's case is strong.

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- Gabe Lacques