BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJOR LEAGUES : Stewart Leaves Game, May Miss 2 Starts

Dave Stewart, who has not been on the disabled list in his 10-year major league career, left in the second inning of the Oakland Athletics’ 9-3 victory over Baltimore on Wednesday at Oakland after straining his left rib area.

Stewart, given a 3-0 lead on Mark McGwire’s home run in the first inning, said he felt “just like being stabbed” when he struck out Sam Horn for the first out of the second inning. He walked off the mound and called for A’s trainer Barry Weinberg after making one pitch to the next batter, Dwight Evans.

A team doctor didn’t sound overly concerned.

“It’s just a pulled muscle,” Dr. Jerrald Goldman said. “He could miss two starts.”

Oakland Manager Tony La Russa did not rule out Stewart for his next scheduled start, but stopped short of saying he was optimistic about a quick return.

“He asked me to wait until Friday to see how it felt, and I’m 100% happy to do that,” La Russa said.

Stewart, who has won at least 20 games for the Athletics the past four seasons, has never missed a turn in Oakland’s rotation covering 166 starts. He has a 2-2 record this season.

“That’s what I stand for: consistency,” Stewart said. “I’ll just do what the doctor tells me to do and see how I feel Friday.”

Darren Daulton left a hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pa., two days after he was injured in a car accident with Philadelphia Phillie teammate Lenny Dykstra.

Daulton, his left eye bruised, left the hospital at midday wearing green hospital garb and accompanied by his wife, Lynne. Daulton, 29, thanked people for their prayers and support and got into his car, buckling the seat belt, with his wife at the steering wheel.

Daulton’s left cornea was scratched and he fractured his left eye socket in the accident early Monday. David Rose, a surgeon at the hospital, said that Daulton’s vision apparently was not impaired.

He was a passenger in Dykstra’s car at the time of the accident, after they left a bachelor party for teammate John Kruk. Dykstra has been charged with drunk driving. Neither was wearing a seat belt.

Dykstra remains in fair condition at the hospital, a hospital spokesperson said. He has three broken ribs, a broken right collarbone, a broken bone beneath his right eye and possibly bruised his heart.