Stewart Could Be Free Agent

Pitcher Dave Stewart will not be offered salary arbitration by the Toronto Blue Jays, making him eligible for free agency, the team announced Wednesday.

Stewart, 37, had hinted at retirement. But the right-hander has recanted and suggested he is interested in staying with the Blue Jays or playing in Japan. Former Angel Dick Schofield also became eligible for free agency.

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The Angels decided not to risk losing designated hitter Chili Davis to free agency, offering him arbitration and guaranteeing he will remain an Angel for next season.

Darryl Strawberry was offered salary arbitration by the San Francisco Giants. . . . The rebuilding Boston Red Sox allowed four high-priced veterans--Andre Dawson, Frank Viola, Joe Hesketh and Tom Brunansky--to become eligible for free agency by declining to offer them salary arbitration. . . . The Houston Astros chose not to offer arbitration to outfielders Kevin Bass and Milt Thompson. . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates said they will not attempt to sign center fielder Andy Van Slyke for next season. . . . Bob Hamelin of the Kansas City Royals, formerly of UCLA, easily won the American League rookie of the year award, becoming the first designated hitter to do so. Hamelin batted .282 with 24 home runs and 65 runs batted in. . . . Joe Paparella, an American League umpire for 22 years who retired in 1968, died in Sebastian, Fla. He was 85.

Jurisprudence

Jonathan George Beauregard, 22, the Cal State Northridge offensive lineman charged with two counts of attempted murder, received a dramatic bail increase. San Bernardino Municipal Court Judge Ronald M. Christianson raised it from $15,000 to $100,000. Beauregard was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.

As expected, C. David Rossen, former racing director of King President Bruce McNall’s thoroughbred racing operations, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, entering his plea before U.S. District Judge Richard Paez. Rossen, 39, could face a maximum prison term of five years, up to $250,000 in fines, three years of supervised release and the possibility of making restitution. Sentencing is Feb. 22.

Unregistered sports agent Steve Endicott was arrested and sentenced to one year’s probation and fined $3,000 for trying to sign several Florida State football players as clients, said university officials in Tallahassee, Fla.

Miscellany

The Duke women’s soccer team defeated North Carolina, 3-2, at Chapel Hill, N.C., ending the Tar Heels’ 101-game unbeaten streak.

Ben Davis is ineligible to play for the Arizona basketball team during the first semester this season for not complying with an NCAA rule on satisfactory progress.