Feelings Mixed on Guillen

Jose Guillen, one of the most polarizing figures in recent Angel history, returns to Angel Stadium tonight for the first time since his stormy departure at the end of last season.

Guillen, who early last year questioned Angel pitchers for not protecting the hitters -- in his opinion -- later set off a firestorm when he flung his helmet and batting gloves in the dugout after being taken out for a pinch-runner Sept. 25.

Guillen was suspended for the remainder of the season the next day and traded to Washington on Nov. 19 for Juan Rivera and Maicer Izturis.

Manager Mike Scioscia said no bad feelings linger and said he might shake Guillen’s hand if he crosses paths with him.

“Of course, there’s no issues with him, at all,” Scioscia said. “He’s moved on, we’ve moved on. He’s doing well, we’re doing well. That’s the situation. It’s not a big deal.

“I hope we can contain him, hope we can contain the whole team. They’re on a great run.”

The Nationals have won 10 games in a row.

But starting pitchers Jarrod Washburn, who Guillen said went to Scioscia with former closer Troy Percival to complain about him and advocate the suspension, and John Lackey said they would not break bread with Guillen.

“I don’t believe we’ll be running into each other ... unless he goes out of his way to say, ‘Hi,’ ” Washburn said with an impish grin.

Said Lackey, who was thrown out of the game in question for throwing at a batter: “You take him for what he’s worth. He came in with some baggage, and he left with some more.

“When you put up the numbers he’s put up and played for the number of teams he’s played for, something’s going on.”

Guillen has played for seven teams since 1999.

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Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who spent his first seven-plus seasons with the Montreal Expos before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in July, will see many familiar faces when he looks across the field tonight at the Nationals, who moved from Canada in the off-season.

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Left fielder Garret Anderson sat out because of tightness in his right hamstring, though he was on-deck to pinch-hit in the eighth inning before the inning ended. He sat out three games earlier this season because of the same ailment.

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ON DECK

Opponent -- Washington Nationals, three games.

Site -- Angel Stadium.

TV -- FSN West.

Radio -- 710, 1020.

Records -- Angels 36-26, Nationals 37-26.

Record vs. Nationals -- 2-1 in 2003.

Tonight, 7 -- Paul Byrd (5-5, 4.38) vs. Esteban Loaiza (2-4, 3.48).

Tuesday, 7 p.m. -- TBA vs. Livan Hernandez (9-2, 3.35).

Wednesday, 7 p.m. -- Bartolo Colon (8-3, 3.09) vs. TBA.

Tickets -- (714) 663-9000.