Dykstra Out of ’97 Picture

Philadelphia Phillie owner Bill Giles has all but ruled out a comeback this season by center fielder Lenny Dykstra.

“He’s not necessarily through forever, but nobody thinks he’ll play this year,” Giles said Friday.

Dykstra, the leadoff hitter and sparkplug on the Phillies’ 1993 NL pennant winners, underwent back surgery last July to alleviate intense pain that forced him out of the lineup each of the last two seasons.

Meanwhile, Darren Daulton, who said he would try to make the Phillies as a catcher, changed his mind and was switching to first base.

“After I went home and slept on it, I thought this is the best thing to prolong my career,” Daulton, who said he has played only two games at first in his 17-year pro career, said Saturday. “I think it’s best for everybody if I try to become a first baseman. I think I can do that and be successful at it.”

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Now that he’s paying more money in revenue sharing, George Steinbrenner says the Montreal Expos may have to move.

“I’m very strong for the Montreal organization,” the New York Yankee owner said. “They’ve done one of the best jobs I’ve ever seen. But if the fans don’t get out and support the team, I’m for taking them out of there. Move them to someplace where they can be supported so the rest of baseball doesn’t have to carry that load.”