Sore Shoulder Sidelines Quest for 3,000th Hit

George Brett, concerned by increasing soreness in the back of his left shoulder during batting practice Monday, took himself out of the Royals’ lineup shortly before game time. That decision left Brett--who has a lifetime batting average of .326 against the Angels and .545 (12 for 22) against starter Jim Abbott--four hits short of 3,000 with six games left in the season.

Brett, who had started Kansas City’s previous 43 games and played in 110 consecutive games, was to be examined today byDr. Lewis Yocum and undergo aMagnetic Resonance Imaging test at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood.

Royal trainer Nick Swartz said Brett apparently strained a muscle during his first at-bat Sunday at Minnesota, causing soreness in the upper part of the triceps muscle and the lower portion of the muscle that forms the rotator cuff. Swartz also said strength tests indicated “minimal” problems with the rotator cuff.

In a pregame news conference, Brett had said “there’s not going to be any sitting out” in the Royals’ four-game series against the Angels to ensure he wouldget his 3,000th hit at Kansas City this weekend. However, his shoulder changed his plans Monday after batting practice.

“The first couple of balls he hit hard,” Swartz said, “but the next two rounds, instead of starting out slow and increasing, he started slow and decreased. . . . George’s biggest concern is he wants to calm the area down to give him the best chance (of playing) over the long haul, if it takes a day ortwo days. When he comes to the ballpark (today), unless the tests indicate something different, (if) he feels fine, he can play.”