BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Release Possibly Signals End for Brooks

The Kansas City Royals released outfielder Hubie Brooks, who possibly ends his 14-year, 1,645-game career. The lifetime .269 hitter spent most of his career in the National League, including 1990 with the Dodgers. Brooks, who was with the Angels in 1992, had 14 hits in 61 at-bats for the Royals this season after making the team as a nonroster invitee. . . . Colorado catcher Joe Girardi was put on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Monday, because of inflammation in his left patellar tendon.