BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Brett’s Retirement on Paper, Not Stone

George Brett, batting .222, said he’s lost some zest for baseball as he nears his 40th birthday, and plans to quit after this season.

“I’m not coming out and etching it in stone,” he said in Monday’s edition of the Kansas City Star. “I’m writing it on paper with a No. 2 pencil right now--just real light on a piece of paper.

“As of right now, if I had to make the decision today, regardless of what happens this year--even if I had a great year--I wouldn’t come back.”

Baltimore outfielder Mike Devereaux will be out for five to six weeks because of a separated shoulder suffered while attempting a diving catch Sunday against Kansas City. . . . Texas right-hander Nolan Ryan, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on April 15, is scheduled to start Friday night’s game at Kansas City.